Health Workers Protest Flu Vaccine Mandate

Health Professionals in New York, Some Private Hospitals Required to Get H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Shot or Risk Losing Their Jobs

(CBS)  The first doses of the H1N1 vaccine are expected to be released this week. While that is bringing relief to some Americans, it's also helping to ignite a controversy for one group, as CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston reports.

Outside New York 's capitol building, health care workers - shouting "Give me liberty!" - vowed to fight an unprecedented order from state health officials: a requirement for every health care worker to get seasonal and H1N1 flu shots or face the possibility of being fired.

Physical therapist Carole Blueweiss is weighting that risk.

"I'm healthy and I have a strong immune system and I don't want to feel like someone is telling me what to put into my body to protect me," Blueweiss said.

But the state maintains the objective is to reduce the possibility of infecting patients.

"Every flu season, in New York for example, we have about 160 outbreaks of flu inside healthcare institutions," said New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Richard Daines.

In past years, when vaccination was voluntary, only 40 percent of the state's 925,000 health care workers get vaccinated.

"That's kind of intolerable that patients should come to a hospital and not know that the healthcare workers are vaccinated," Daines said.

But Carole Blueweiss - who plans to give her son the seasonal flu vaccine - doesn't trust the H1N1 vaccine for him or herself.

In her 15 years as a physical therapist at a large New York hospital, she says she's never gotten a flu shot and never had the flu.

"We are health care workers and we are not even given the credit or the respect to make the decision," Blueweiss said. "It's outrageous and it feels criminal and anti-American."

While New York has the only state-wide mandate, a number of private and public hospitals are also requiring employees to take flu shots, including: the 273 facilities of the Hospital Corporation of America; Emory hospital in Atlanta; the University of Pennsylvania hospital; the University of Maryland hospital; and the Loyola University health system in Chicago.

There is also a strong resistance from the general public. A new Harvard University poll shows only four in 10 adults intend to take the vaccine themselves. Only 6 in 10 plan to give it to their children.

[swtmedic]

I believe we should have the to opt out of the vaccination of the flu vaccine. We as healthcare providers can opt out of taking the hepatitis vaccine shot - why can't health providers opt out of the flu vaccine. It should be a choice not a requirement to the point of losing your job over. Some people can't even have the flu vaccine - if you are allergic to eggs, chicken, or egg products - the vaccine is made with preservatives with these ingredients. Some vaccines contain Thimerosal which can cause a bad reaction. Some brands of the vacines also contain polymyxin or neomycin - many people get reactions from that also...even having an allergic reaction.

The vaccine is not a cure for the flu. The vaccine is not effective against all strains of the flu virus. People who have GBS are not recommended in getting the flu vaccine.

So I would say it should be an option to get the vaccine not a requirement! Its an American Freedom Choice!

[Billybeantown]

This is criminal & abuse of constitutional ammendmants. Dr. Richard Daines is simply forcing his radical extreme philosophy upon American Citizens in an egotistical manner. He should prosecuted for his reckless intentions. To face such unfair, unjust pressure to take a foreign substance into their bodies is appauling! May the OMNI Present Spirit be with you Health care workers.

[care4unow]

it's simply not that simple
the cdc does NOT have any documenation regarding those that die from the flu or even just become ill and whether they were vaccinated or not. they simply can not support the statistics they give of it's risks and it's benefits unless they do this kind of follow through and they don't nor do they plan to.
i've been a nurse for 22 years. we're not "whining"-- we are educated as to the risk of vaccinations and there are vaccinations with risks greater than the potential benefits. There's great research out there if people are willing to look for it that supports that chronic illnesses for some stem from vaccines themselves and that pandemics in the past may well not have been from the disease but from our choices to use aspirin,motrin or tylenol and prevent the fever which is our bodies own natural immunity effort.
We're not afraid but simply have enough experience to ask more questions and see the other point of view.

[care4unow]

it's simply not that simple
the cdc does NOT have any documenation regarding those that die from the flu or even just become ill and whether they were vaccinated or not. they simply can not support the statistics they give of it's risks and it's benefits unless they do this kind of follow through and they don't nor do they plan to.
i've been a nurse for 22 years. we're not "whining"-- we are educated as to the risk of vaccinations and there are vaccinations with risks greater than the potential benefits. There's great research out there if people are willing to look for it that supports that chronic illnesses for some stem from vaccines themselves and that pandemics in the past may well not have been from the disease but from our choices to use aspirin,motrin or tylenol and prevent the fever which is our bodies own natural immunity effort.
We're not afraid but simply have enough experience to ask more questions and see the other point of view.

[eyeoweanna]

This is just slightly ridiculous. I have known -more- people who have gotten the regular Flu Vaccine that have actually GOTTEN the Flu than those who tough it during the Fall/Winter Season without it. What good is it going to do to MANDATE people to take this new H1N1 Vaccine if its #1 Brand New and #2 Only been tested on a few people. Do they not realize that if someone with an extremely low immune system takes this shot they could possibly end up WITH the Swine Flu and then end up DEAD. I'd rather take my chances without the shot. Hey here's a little hint for everyone: Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer if you don't have the time to run to a sink to do so.

[mary_moran]

Regardless of the existence of a vaccine, we need to get serious about hands-on prevention, which is why I must share this tip: My child came home from school saying they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. And this is effective regardless of the existence of a vaccine.

[lls64]

Does anyone else find it interesting that people in the health care field are against this vaccine?? I take their opinions very seriously and if they are refusing to put this vaccine in their bodies, so am I.

This mandate by the health workers should tell the general public that vaccines are the "snake oil" of western medicine. But the uneducated public will stand in line and let Big Pharma put this unproven poison in their system forever. Posted by Baileyccc

[MzSoniaV]

If healthcare workers are reluctant to get the shot, knowing their exposure to sick and healthy people.....tells, me alot and scares the heck out of me.



svivar9087

[rocketjl]

OK,OK. Health care workers are saying that health care medication is bad. They are also arrogant enough to say if you want me to care for you, it has to be my way. History of patients being infected with various illnesses while in medical facilities should be ignored. People who deal with the public do have an obligation to the pubic. Food workers need to be vaccinated also. Bottom line here is really, 'I have the right to not put things in my body that I don't want to' and 'you do not have the right to ask me to not infect you with any disease that I may contract'. I am glad that if you health care folks do infect me, you agree to pay for my medical care and you will compensate me for my pain and suffering. After all, even though we supported your right to not take 'the shot', you kept on making the big bucks!!!!!

[rutroscoobyg]

First off it is not a medication , it is a vaccination, they are different, most medications leave your system in 4-8 hours, vaccinations stay in your system for at least a year wreaking havoc and potentially causing irreversible damage, HeathCare Workers are not the enemy or the cause of this problem , It is simply the flu, the same people are affected year after year , the same group of people have complications year after year , the problem is the media got a hold of it and is making it a far bigger deal that it is , forcing more people to Emergency Rooms because the media is scaring them and this is what is spreading it, not the health care workers.

[debinok1]

I happen to agree with the Health care workers on this one. NO ONE should be forced to take this vaccine. I will not be taking it, and neither will my son.

[nursy11]

Wake up! This is America and there will be multiple law suits over this mandate the State of New York has put on healthcare workers. Why don't they really stick their foot in it and mandate all the people in the State of New York to get this H1N1 vaccine? And I agree with one writer. Who will take care of the sick people if all the healthcare workers lose their job? What would the ignorant people who feel this is a good policy do if their job mandated they get an untested flu vaccine or lose their job? I bet their views would change in a hurry.

[rutroscoobyg]

Unfortunately the government has protected the vaccine makers against law suits.Which makes this even more aggravating, So say you have a catastrophic reaction , get Guillan Bare Syndrome become paralyzed and are no longer able to work Then what? GRRRR

[Newster1]

by charliefrdd October 4, 2009 8:33 PM EDT
Despite the popular liberal rhetoric, we still live in a free country. If someone don't want no god damned flu vaccine, then they ain't gotta take it, azzzholes."

Yeah sort of like that MANDATORY vaccine some state Govt's tried to foist off on young girls to avoid an STD caused cervical cancer, pretty soon they mandate this krap because the mega drug co's line the pockets of politicians and doctors, and then they blitz the media with scare stories.
This is not a free country as you think, just try not getting your kid the required MANDATORY childhood vaccinations, they will refuse admittance into school w/o them, and then YOU get to go to court for child neglect and not putting your kid in school.

Let the dumb sheeple use their kids for guinea pigs for this barely tested H1N1 rat poison, thing is, once it's injected in you there's no way to get it back out if something goes bad!

[bullwinkle64]

The hospitals mandates this out of concern for patients. There only real concern is how many dollars you generate and if you have insurance or not. If the hospitals cared about people they would offer free flu shots to their workers families who are at risk based on the family members occupation. Forced to get a flu shot that is being rushed to market is insane. It would be different if you had a government that you could trust. But we don't. There is just a liitle to much of this freedom I keep hearing everybody talking about being shoved down our throats------and veins!

[rf35]

Want one better? As an American military member in a combat zone, if I refuse the vaccine, I go to jail.

[rutroscoobyg]

Ok People, How about this food for thought , we the health care workers have chosen careers to take care of SICK and injured people, why should we have to be exposed to all of you,not knowing what diseases you have or whether or not you are Vaccinated, We the health care workers are trained in how to take precautions in the spread and transmission of disease, we should not be forced to take vaccinations we do not want, this is a direct violation of our civil rights, we are not the reason for the flu out break , people should learn to stay home and keep their germs to themselves instead of running to the emergency room for the slightest little sniffle, that is what spreads disease, not unvaccinated health care workers! Tell me what would happen if every healthcare worker in the State of New York refused these vaccinations, Everyone would loose their job, Then who would be taking care of the sick and injured?

[tmn]

If everyone stayed home when they were sick, you'd be out of a job, now wouldn't you?

[rutroscoobyg]

Not exactly since I am an emergency room nurse, One who treats EMERGENCIES, and there will never come a day when there are no Emergencies,Cold & Flu Symptoms does not fit the definition of EMERGENCY! Further more I did not say EVERYONE should stay home. I said those with non emergent sniffles should smarten up and stay home so they dont spread their disease and contaminate their community, why the hell should it be put on the people willing to be exposed on a daily bases to who knows what to control what people with no common sense do? How about this the flu vaccine is NOT 100% effective either, so would you want some unknown substance that could potentially cause harm to you put into your body for a chance you may or may not contract and spread the flu, get a grip people the world is much larger than the health care workers and we are the less likely group to spread the virus, since the proper precautions in the prevention of disease happens to be ingrained in us. How would you like to be told by someone sitting behind a desk that you have to be injected with something thats barely been tested or you loose the job youve been doing for over 20 years , What a thankless profession we have all chosen

[IrishWench01]

I won't be getting it and neither will my children. I have never had the flu of any kind and have never received a vaccine for the flu. I feel for those in the healthcare industry workers having this forced upon them or loose their job.

[rhs648]

If we can make health insurance mandatory, why can't we make the vaccine mandatory for all Americans, too. This is another example of "Big Brother." For all of you who think it is fine to force health care workers to receive a vaccine they don't want, how will you feel when the government mandates health insurance? When the shoe fits, wear it.

[puzzler125]

I was a healthcare worker for many years and I got flu shots annually (I also got the flu every year) until the year I got the flu twice and it was horrible. It's ridiculous to mandate workers to get it. What if you are a pregnant worker, are allergic to eggs, have a compromised immune system, etc.?

[gboyd41]

Solarrays247- are you curious or just a proxy for stuart? Your thoughts mean nothing to me, so no reply to "what is your opinion?;=). How can a person reply to such a "statement"? Try to get your high school diploma. May I suggest some night school classes?