MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- UW Health is trying to reduce the number of influenza cases caught in hospitals by requiring employees to get flu shots.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports employees will be put on unpaid leave if they don't get vaccinated by Dec. 1. They can submit a religious waiver or medical waiver signed by a doctor. Workers who don't comply after another 45 days could be fired.

The union that represents UW Hospital nurses and therapists, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, thinks the mandate goes too far and is asking UW Health to consider an exemption for personal beliefs.

According to the state Department of Health Services, 26 percent of hospitals and 12 percent of nursing homes in Wisconsin had similar mandates last year.