Hot Topic (10/16): Should the H1N1 vaccine be required for health care workers?
WASHINGTON — A group challenging a state requirement that all health care workers in New York get vaccinated for swine flu said Thursday that it is seeking a federal injunction to halt nationwide distribution of the vaccine.
"We are arguing this is a new drug and it must go through the proper testing for safety and efficacy," said attorney Jim Turner, who wants to stop other states from following New York's lead in mandating vaccinations.
The Food and Drug Administration, which announced Sept. 15 that it had approved the H1N1 vaccine for distribution, says the vaccine is merely a change in strain from the typical seasonal flu vaccine and doesn't require testing as a new drug.
U.S. District Judge Reggie Turner of the District of Columbia has not set a hearing date.
Attorney Turner argues that if H1N1 is just a seasonal variation in the flu, the federal government shouldn't have treated it as a national health emergency and set out to buy 250 million doses.
"The Catch-22 argument is that the FDA is putting out the message that this flu that is walking across the world ... is so unique and so deadly that we must buy millions of doses," he said.
The Obama administration began distributing the H1N1 vaccine nationwide this month.
Four firms — CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., and Novartus Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited — have been approved to produce the vaccine under federal contract.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that pregnant women, health care workers, people aged 25 to 64 with chronic illnesses, and people working with children younger than 6 months old should be first in line for the vaccine.
But Cherryl Robbins, a patient care technician at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie who is 24 weeks pregnant, doesn't plan to get vaccinated.
"The state declared an emergency in order to get this drug through," said Robbins, a plaintiff in the lawsuit seeking to overturn New York's mandatory vaccination requirement for health care workers. "Personally, I don't think there is a crisis."
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Should states be allowed to require health care workers be vaccinated?
How do you feel about vaccinations in general?
Are you concerned about side effects of vaccines?
Let me start by saying that I am NOT anti-vax but I am against the swine flu vaccine. I don't believe that it should be mandated because the regular flu shot is not mandatory and H1N1 is statistically not much more dangerous/deadly than the regular flu.
There was a swine flu vax created in the 70's to combat an outbreak. This vax was tested on members of the military. Many people who were the guinea pigs for this vaccine suffered serious long-term respiratory and cognitive damage from it so it was not widely distrbuted. Also, to get this vaccine out in a timely fashion, it's makers were granted immunity by the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Meaning that if this vax proves dangerous and causes serious side effects, they can't be held financially or criminally liable. I am a democrat who loves the current administration but that scares the HELL out of me.
Also, there are some people (like DH) who have a chronic condition for which neither the H1N1 nor the regular flu shot are recommended. DH has sarcoidoisis and take steroids to prevent inflammation in his lungs and lymph nodes. The antibiotics that are put in the shots to kill stray bacteria will render his his steroid useless. What if there are people in the health care industry with similar conditions that would be forced to take this vax? The possible side effects are worse than the flu.
Should states be allowed to require health care workers be vaccinated?
No, this should be a personal choice. They can offer it, but noone should be forced to be vaccinated ever. Especially to such a mild strain of the flu.
How do you feel about vaccinations in general?
I believe they are neither safe or effective.
Are you concerned about side effects of vaccines?
Yes I am, for others, because we no longer vaccinate.
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No, I don't think it should be required and I think if they make it mandatory, they will detour an awful lot of good people from pursuing careers in health care. I know that I would not want a career that gave someone else control over my body.
We are all shades of gray. It’s been said again and again; life’s a process. We are fleeting moments that come and go, and I am grateful to have my time, my aspirations and my mistakes, my flaws and my abilities. Think of me what you will, but before you do, don’t. Alexander William Gaskarth
No, the vaccine should not be mandatory for anyone. Are their employers going to cover any medical costs that may arise due to the mandatory shot? Vaccines should always be a personal choice.
I would probably be considered anti vaccine. More than anything I hate toxins, and I think all parents should make informed choices. My family does not need vaccines. We do best with natural immune support and healthy diets. I worry about what they are creating in our gene pools, and the lifelong illnesses they can create. I do cringe when I hear about another child getting vaccinated. Then I say a little prayer(can't hurt, right?) for them.
Normally, I think its a good idea for health care workers to be vaccinated for stuff, for safety sakes, but I don't believe that they can say this vaccine is safe. It just came out in such a big rush and doesn't seem like it could have been adiquatly tested for it to seem safe so I don't believe it is a good idea to make this vaccine mandatory.
I vaccinate my children, I will not be getting them this vaccine tho.
No, what you put in your body should be your choice at all times.
Quoting stormcris:
No, what you put in your body should be your choice at all times.
Well said. I agree. It should be a personal choice and you should be able to control what is put into your body no matter your career.
I agree
Quoting home-sweet-home:
Should states be allowed to require health care workers be vaccinated?
No, this should be a personal choice. They can offer it, but noone should be forced to be vaccinated ever. Especially to such a mild strain of the flu.
How do you feel about vaccinations in general?
I believe they are neither safe or effective.
Are you concerned about side effects of vaccines?
Yes I am, for others, because we no longer vaccinate.
stephanie/cloth diapering/full term bfing/extended harnessing mama
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on Oct. 16, 2009 at 3:11 AM