Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I posted this to Nursing News, but thought I would also post it here. I know there are other articles about the manditory vaccination for H1N1 in New York, but this article speaks to health care facilites in 20 other states as well.

With the H1N1 pandemic spreading rapidly, hundreds of thousands of doctors, nurses, orderlies and other U.S. health-care workers for the first time are being required to get flu shots, drawing praise from many public-health authorities but condemnation from some employees, unions and other critics who object to mandatory vaccination.

One of the nation's most populous states, the country's largest hospital chain and the Washington area's biggest private health-care system are among those ordering influenza inoculation for health-care employees this year, along with a growing list of medical centers and clinics coast to coast.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/25/AR2009092503854.html

It just looks like this is going to catch like wildfire, and soon most if not all states are probably going to require vaccination. What are your thoughts?

[oramar]

I think it is ridiculous to force anyone that does not want one to have one. There isn't going to be enough to go around as it is, save them for those that want them.

[RuRnurse?]

Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the stupidity...Most of the actions governments take in haste turn out to be stupid.

Mandatory vaccination will end up causing more people to refuse, that is just human nature. So, in the long run, it will have the opposite effect sought. We will also see litigation skyrocket, as people will start blaming the vaccine for everything that goes wrong with them, and people suing for loss of employment, etc. Firing or laying off thousands of HCW's at a time when you need them most defies logic, but I don't see anyone addressing this very real possibility.

The states that try and play hardball with this are going to end up with serious problems that they themselves have created

[oramar]

Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the stupidity...Most of the actions governments take in haste turn out to be stupid.

Mandatory vaccination will end up causing more people to refuse, that is just human nature. So, in the long run, it will have the opposite effect sought. We will also see litigation skyrocket, as people will start blaming the vaccine for everything that goes wrong with them, and people suing for loss of employment, etc. Firing or laying off thousands of HCW's at a time when you need them most defies logic, but I don't see anyone addressing this very real possibility.

The states that try and play hardball with this are going to end up with serious problems that they themselves have created

A very well thought out and written post.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

position statement on the h1n1 influenza.

cna/nnoc position

1. as frontline caregivers at the heart of the health care system, cna/nnoc strongly recommends that all registered nurses (rns) are vaccinated against the h1n1influenza virus

2. any vaccination program for rns should include extensive education on the risks and benefits of vaccination with an emphasis on patient protection and the need to be prepared for a serious pandemic outbreak.

3. cna/nnoc supports an rn's right to decline vaccination.

4. rns should be granted presumptive eligibility for workers compensation benefits as a result of contracting the h1n1 influenza virus, and should not be subject to disciplinary action by an employer due to absenteeism or illness resulting from the vaccine

http://www.calnurses.org/swineflu/as...-statement.pdf