Should the H1N1 Vaccine be mandatory for Healthcare Professionals?

lamazeteacher · Oct 7, 2009

I just listened to Dr. Auwaerter's comments on Medscape. He states that mandatory flu vaccine administration is in the same category as the obligatory wearing of automobile safety belts, and Child Passenger Safety Seats. Hmmmm

I'd say that a form for those declining the vaccine, is appropriate, and that those who refuse it, take a mandatory educational program/video with a test at the end, which includes the techniques for prevention of transmission of communicable disease; and actual research for safety of the vaccine accentuated.

Those who answer 80% of the questions on the test correctly, could work, unless s/s of flu are detected; and be closely observed, with daily throat checks by Occupational Health permitted. If that is refused, or more than 20% of the test questions are incorrect, (with the opportunity to retake the program and test at least 3 times, given) those health care workers (not just nurses, but including doctors, and all others who come in contact with patients or equipment used in their care), should be placed on administrative leave until the number of H1N1 cases reported to the CDC diminishes to an acceptable (?) level.

Areenn · Oct 7, 2009

No they should not be mandatory. But they are in a few places and it is spreading. Soon nurses will have to stand together and all turn in resignations to fight it or take them. Our patiets have the right to refuse medical care but we do not. As we work with the public, it has been deterimined the public good outweighs our individual rights. Heil......who?

Yin Yang · Oct 7, 2009

lamazeteacher- that seems pretty ridiculous. Likening a mandatory flu vaccine to mandatory seatbelt laws is laughable at best. A requirement to wear a mask is closer to having to wear a seatbelt.

As far as taking the vaccine goes, I'll take my chances with getting the flu itself. I work in a busy ER and had about 10 positive Type A flus in 1 shift. I sure haven't gotten sick yet. I attribute it to 2 things. First, if you even have one symptom as an incoming patient, the PATIENT gets a mask as well as some education on transmission. Second, I wash my hands thoroughly almost constantly. It's bad enough that hospitals are forcing employees to get seasonal flu vaccines...there comes a point when we have to draw a line in the sand. My line is drawn right on top of the H1N1 vaccine. Good luck finding nurses to replace those of us who refuse, if they make it mandatory!

Yang

lamazeteacher · Oct 7, 2009

"A survey conducted in mid-September by the Harvard School of Public Health found that 53% of adults intended to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves, but only 40% of adults were "absolutely certain" they would. Of the adults who did not intend to get the vaccine, or who were otherwise uncertain, 30% cited possible adverse effects as the reason, while 20% worried about contracting influenza from the vaccine.

Likewise, only 51% of parents were "absolutely certain" that they will have their children vaccinated, and of the remaining parents, 38% cited adverse effects, and 33% were concerned their child might contract another major illness from the vaccine.

Dr. Frieden repeated earlier CDC assertions that the new vaccine is safe. "It's made in the same way that seasonal vaccine is made each year by the same manufacturers using the same methods in the same facilities." And the safety track record of the seasonal flu vaccine, he said, is excellent.

He also addressed a misconception that H1N1 influenza is a benign illness that does not necessarily require vaccination. "The flu isn't always mild," said Dr. Frieden. "It can kill you." Quote from Medscape

I gave you a "kudo", Yin Yang, as a thank you. However I don't agree with you! It seemed rather arbitrary/strange that you have "drawn a line in the sand" after seasonal flu vaccination, but before H1N1 vaccination. I believe that a rationale is essential when making decisions that effect my/your life and/or the lives of others.

Being an independant woman who hates being told how to run my personal life, I question any dicta from on high, regarding that. However in my professional life, I do what is best for me and my patients and family. I have a newborn granddaughter and want to have the H1N1 vaccine early, in order to keep her safe; and have recommended it to my son and daughter-in-law, her main caregivers (not that they'll take my advice, as the "twig doesn't fall far from the tree").

I have read the research studies performed on H1N1 vaccine, and feel certain that it is no more dangerous than seasonal flu vaccine. I have taken the seasonal vaccine yearly for the past 20 years without ill effect (other than a sore arm and a few muscle aches). I am well and working when others fall sick during the season when flu occurs; and now that I've retired, my friends who refuse the vaccine get sick, develop pneumonia, and I sail on, unscathed.

I went to a clinic last May when I thought I had H1N1 (2 days into it), but the test given then was neg. I took the Tamiflu ordered, as well as doxycycline and was well within a week (which you could say was the normal course of any bug). However I believe I took the safest course to protect me and others.

Glitterkitty, RN · Oct 7, 2009

I have also had several reactions to "harmless" injections as well and also refuse. However, any employer hiring in the medical field worth any credibility should realize that patients aren't the only people who have rights as well as reactions to medications. If a patient was at a heightened risk for developing the flu but was allergic to eggs would you insist they receive the vaccination because of "protocol" or "statistics'? So why would we enforce that upon a workforce that is already short-handed needing help? If people are so concerned about catching the virus because some refuse the vaccination, then they have the option themselves to receive the vaccination to prevent that. Violating the rights of the healthcare worker is a poor method to protect those asking for such protection when it can be handled at the level of the one concerned while leaving others rights intact.

diane227, LPN, RN · Oct 8, 2009

Yes. It should be required. For your own safety

Glitterkitty, RN · Oct 8, 2009

Yes. It should be required. For your own safety

Since when was a grown nurse incapable of making health decisions for herself an needs the government to tell her what is "best for my safety"? We make countless decisions ON OUR OWN regarding the lives of our patients every day WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE, so why all of the sudden are we treated as children who cannot determine what's good for us and mama government has to?

Beth RN · Oct 8, 2009

What would be the benefit? Why not make everyone flying on a plane have to be vaccinated? After all, infection rates in other countries were effected by air travel from Mexico--- not health care workers.

Forcing anyone to be vaccinated would be like forcing people to lose weight, not smoke or drink, etc.

Until the risks of the vaccine are nil, no one should be forced to have it. Those in high risk groups, should weigh the risk versus benefit with their MD and then decide... not a law maker. If a law maker is allowed to force this issue upon someone... imagine what will come next.

If someone is worried about catching the H1N1 from a health care worker as opposed to public transportation, schools, shopping malls, etc., then I would suggest they get vaccinated and take the worry off the table.

Glitterkitty, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Exactly!:yeahthat:

mcknis · Oct 9, 2009

This discussion just goes to show how pathetic our country will be under a government-ran healthcare system. If we are already arguing about, "To vaccinate or not vaccinate?" then how will thing be then? hmmmmmm...

rnwotwob1 · Oct 9, 2009

look what happened in the '70's with the first swine flu vax. it was a big fiasco.

the way the gov't is pushing this so quickly - makes a person wonder how much will be mucked up in the future. (Just google the last swine flu "epidemic" during the 70's)

Skeletor · Oct 9, 2009

I'll take a couple shots of 151, chase it with a shot of H1N1 and sip the night away with some MD 20/20 *wine

I'm willing to risk growing a corkscrew tail and waking up with some nasty morning oink