Nurses Association Opposes Mandatory Flu Shots for Health Workers
State Hospital Council Passes Emergency Rule
The New York State Nurses Association strongly opposed a regulation that would require every healthcare worker in the state to be immunized for influenza, but the New York State Hospital Planning and Review Council passed the proposal anyway.
The emergency rule could go into effect before this winter's flu season. The rule affects all healthcare personnel, both paid and unpaid, who interact with patients in hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, certified home health agencies, long-term healthcare programs, AIDS home care programs, licensed home care services, and hospices.
In its testimony, the Nurses Association called the council's action a "scorched earth" approach. "While we encourage nurses to be immunized for the flu, we do not agree that nurses should be required to get immunizations as a condition of employment," said Eileen Avery, RN, associate director of the association's Education, Practice & Research Program.
The regulation's impact on the state's shortage of nurses could be significant. There is no exemption for individuals with religious or cultural preferences regarding immunization. "This rule effectively blocks these individuals from earning their livelihood as nurses," Avery said. "It's possible that nurses will leave the profession or choose another career because of this onerous mandate; a serious threat at a time when the shortage of nurses in New York State is expected to reach 20,000 within a decade."
Full text of the testimony: http://www.nysna.org/advocacy/testimonies/mandated_shots.htm
For more information contact: Nancy Webber, 518-782-9400, Ext. 223
9 comments:
'religious or cultural preferences'
is not an excuse to not get flu shots, or any vaccination. There isn't a single holy text, or ancient cultural tradition that even acknowledges the existence of a virus, much less the idea that you can vaccinate against them.
Its just ignorance of the basic science behind the vaccinations. Get your frelling shots and quit whining.
OMG This again??
If my nurse is treating my immunocompromised child or grandma DAMN RIGHT she better have her vaccinations up to date. Risking your patient's life for this "preference" is just plain irresponsible. What's next... not believing in germ theory and handwashing?
Those of you who don't "believe" in vaccination are just parasites riding on the immunity of others. And worse... the chance of a virus gaining resistance increases with the number of infected hosts, so you're putting everyone at risk.
In 1976, mass vaccination with a fast-tracked flu shot for the H1N1 virus led to hundreds developing the paralysing Guillain-Barre syndrome.
The swine flu case of 1976 forever reduced confidence in public health pronouncements from the government and helped foster cynicism about federal policy makers that continues to this day.
Read more
Swine Flu Shot in U.S. May Rely on Emergency Use of Additives
“The question is, do you really feel comfortable throwing this new thing into the mix and do you really need to?” said Treanor, a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at the school in Rochester, New York. “I myself, if I had to do it, would really wrestle with that decision.”
As an RN in NY who has MS as well as 3 kids on the Autism Spectrum, it is beyond offensive that declining a flu shot be called "whining". Slippery slope, folks, what will be forced into YOUR body next. Can this possibly be constitutional?
New York Health Care Workers Resist Flu Vaccine Rule
As a nurse, I feel no one should have to receive medical treatment whether it be a vaccination or surgery. What most lay people don't realize is that there are a lot of side effects that the pharmaceutical company doesn't want you to know about or they won't get their billions of dollars. Many people with severe allergies or immunocompromised bodies cannot receive vaccinations. Those who are allergic to eggs should not be vaccinated. Anyone who feels their nurse "damn well better get their shots" has no clue what any of it means. Read something before you spout off. You sound mentally challenged!!
N.Y. Health Care Workers Revolt Over H1N1 Vaccine Saying They Should Be Given A Choice, Employees Rally In Albany, Around State, Chant "No Forced Shots!"
New York State Backs Off Forced Vaccines
A rule that would have forced half of a million healthcare workers in the state of New York to be vaccinated for seasonal and swine influenzas was suspended on October 22 following a series of protests, lawsuits, a restraining order, and an alleged shortage of supplies.
Post a Comment