Sep 30, 2009 6:09 am US/Eastern
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!"
Protesters Hold Signs That Read: "The State Doesn't Own My Body'"
STONY
BROOK, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Poll
Should health care workers be forced to get the swine flu vaccine?
They're upset over
an ultimatum from the health department.
Workers are being told to either
get the swine flu vaccine or lose their jobs.
New York is the first state
in the country to mandate flu vaccinations for its health care workers. The
first doses of swine flu vaccine will be available beginning next week. Much of
it is reserved for state health care workers, but there is growing opposition to
required innoculations.
Health care workers in Hauppauge screamed "No
forced shots!" as they rallied Tuesday against the state regulation requiring
them to roll up their sleeves.
"I don't even tend to the sick. I am in
the nutrition field. They are telling me I must get the shot because I work in a
health clinic setting," said Paula Small, a Women, Infants and
Children health care worker.
Small said she will refuse, worried the
vaccine is untested and unproven, leaving her vulnerable. In 1976, there were
some deaths associated with a swine flu vaccination.
Registered
nurse Frank Mannino, 50, was also angry. He said the state regulation
violates his personal freedom and civil rights.
"And now I will lose my
job if I don't take the regular flu shot or the swine flu shot."
Should Workers Be Forced To Get
Vaccinated? Comment On This Story!When asked if he's willing to lose
his job, Mannino said, "Absolutely. I will not take it, will not be forced. This
is still America."
The protest also shook Albany Tuesday. Hundreds of
demonstrators demanded freedom of choice. After all, as health care
professionals they argue they're already constantly washing their hands and
aren't likely to transmit or contract the flu.
Around 500,000 health care
workers are slated to receive the vaccine.
"It's certainly their
prerogative to voice their opinion," said Dr. Susan Donelan of Stony Brook
University Hospital.
Donelan said most in the medical community see the
benefits and safety of the shots and welcome them, and that hospitals must obey
the law.
"Our hospital is committed to following the mandate to have our
personnel vaccinated," she said.
The state said change was needed this
year to save lives, typically only about 45 percent of health care workers take
advantage of voluntary flu vaccines.
More than 150 institutional
outbreaks of seasonal and H1N1 flu are expected this year in hospitals, nursing
homes and hospice centers.
New York and New Jersey will get their first
doses of the swine flu vaccine next week. It will be the nasal mist, not a
shot.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights
Reserved.)
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