Poll: Should the H1N1 vaccine be mandatory?
October 15th, 2009
No one wants to get the swine flu. That’s why so many people have panicked and are walking around wearing Michael Jackson masks. But should the new H1N1 vaccine be mandatory? A lot of people get a flu shot, a lot of people don’t. It’s your choice.But a new controversial regulation in New York requires all health care workers to get both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine. The New York Civil Liberties Union is arguing that it’s unconstitutional for the state to require the shots — especially since both the WorldHealth Organization and the CDC haven’t called for mandatory vaccinations.
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October 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Isn’t the point that health care workers could spread the flu to patients who are at risk, and not the other way around?
October 16th, 2009 at 5:27 am
I’ll agree with Elena and add: Health care workers have been shown to spread vaccine-preventable illness to their patients; in some cases, those illnesses have caused the deaths among the elderly.
I can understand their concern about mandatory vaccination as a condition of employment, since all vaccines do incur some — albiet rare — risks of serious side effect. But some are taking too hard a line.
Perhaps we can agree to a middle ground: the vaccine won’t be mandatory, but if they become ill, until it is demonstrated to be non-seasonal influenza or non-H1N1 influenza, they can stay home without pay until they have clearance to work. If influenza is confirmed, they can take unpaid sick leave.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Are you kidding me? Healthcare workers simply must be vaccinated against both seasonal and swine flu. I’m an erstwhile Respiratory Therapist, who worked in hospitals or years. We were required by state law to be vaccinated against not only flu, but also hepatitis and pneumococcal pneumonia. Why? Because catching the flu might make us ill for a few days, but giving it to a seriously ill patient would be fatal. It is ludicrous that any healthcare worker wouldn’t understand this. Also, anyone who has taken basic courses in virology and epidemiology will know that relatively benign influenza viruses, as they spread through the human population, can rapidly mutate to a much more deadly form. So any healthcare worker who refuses to protect the welfare of their patients should be summarily dismissed. Such people are obviously in the wrong line of work anyway.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:29 am
As, an American and a health care worker, I’m NOT in favor of FORCED vaccines(and that’s exactly what it is). If I’m unable to choose what goes into MY BODY(!) as an AMERICAN what’s next? When did my rights as an AMERICAN get taken away from me to easy the minds of others? If people aren’t FORCED to stand up during the National Anthem, aren’t FORCED to be respectful of each other and our rights, FORCED to believe in GOD or able to pray in school if they wish, what all the sudden gives them the right to FORCE their fears upon MY BODY? I live in this country to make choices for myself and my family. I have every RIGHT to say NO! FEAR mongering is running ramped in this country and our own government is helping it at all! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:18 am
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October 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Some people cannot take the flu shot due to conditions like systemic lupus or allergic reactions. I reacted violently to the flu shot in college and ended up in the emergency room. My doctor told me that I am a part of the population that can never take the flu vaccine. For these reasons, mandating a vaccine is irresponsible and unfair.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
If I don’t have the right to protect myself, as I see fit, who does? Is the government making it for me? That’s what I want to prevent! And where does it end?
I put myself at risk everyday to HIV in the work place, but I have ZERO rights to tell someone they have to use condoms while having sex. HIV has killed MILLIONS in the last two or three decades, while H1N1 has killed how many? How about people from this point forward who contract HIV are prosecuted for unsafe sex or not using condoms? Why not make using a condom law? It would help prevent the spread of one of the deadliest viruses in known history. Wouldn’t that help stop the spread of HIV? Wouldn’t it?? Oh, that’s right, that wouldn’t fly because that would infringe on peoples rights!
Who cares about the health care workers rights of choice? What if down the road the Government decided there was a drug they want to test, so they just say people are at risk and HAVE to get this shot. People wouldn’t have the right to question it? Not if we give up or rights to say NO. How soon we want to give our RIGHTS away to fear! (Does this remind anyone of the “if you’re not with us, you’re with the terrorists” speak? FEAR) This isn’t anything more than me trying to protect my rights as an American citizen. I don’t want the government telling ME what I have to do. I can make these choices on my own. The funny thing is I got my flu shot,but I made the choice. Not you or the government, ME.
How about face masks for those at risk? Hand them out to whoever wants them as they walk in. Make patient wash their hands as they come in. From the door handles, to the pens every patient uses, are potential breeding grounds for germs. In this overly PC world of ours are we again infringing on others rights?
Washing hands, covering up while cough or sneezing, better nutrition(McDonalds anyone,lol), vitamins… these are things that can help prevent the spreed of flu, but know one is pushing those measures of safety. Apparently the magic fix is a quick shot in the arm. How American!