Editorial: Mandatory vaccines a must for health care workers

New York state health care workers didn’t have much of a choice: get vaccinated for H1N1 by… New York state health care workers didn’t have much of a choice: get vaccinated for H1N1 by the end of November or risk losing their jobs. Last week, however, state health officials rescinded the order after they learned New York will receive only 23 percent of its planned supply of the vaccine by the end of the month.

According to Dr. Richard Daines, the state health commissioner, the available supplies will be given to pregnant women and young people first because the virus can be especially harmful to these groups.

To a portion of workers, it was a measure of relief. Other health care workers in the state objected Daines’ order to make the H1N1 vaccine mandatory. They felt it unfair that the state could force a foreign substance into their bodies. Health workers and unions even sued the state, according to the Associated Press. Carl Korn, a spokesman for the New York State United Teachers union, expressed his discontent over compulsive vaccines.

“This suit was never about the safety of the vaccine or the merits of it,” Korn said. “The suit was always about giving individuals the choice, as adults, as to whether or not they wanted to be vaccinated without the threat of termination.”

There’s no doubt the health care workers faced a stubborn ultimatum. Would most give up their jobs just to avoid the vaccine? Probably not. The vaccines have not been made mandatory for the general public. And at the rate of delivery of the vaccine — even if the government willed it — such a condition would be unfeasible, not to mention even more controversial. But for health care workers, a compulsory vaccine is a reasonable, proactive measure despite their qualms.

Health care workers face a higher risk of exposure to H1N1 by nature of their jobs, which entail the preservation of the physical well-being of the community around them. Should the H1N1 vaccine grow more prolific at a steep rate, health care workers especially can’t afford to be hindered — or worse — by contracting the virus. Those who don’t support the measure are likely wary of the fabled chronic health detriments associated with such a rapidly produced vaccine. Perhaps no one can speculate with certainty on potential side effects. But in the case of H1N1 — although some argue they’re comparatively miniscule — there have been deaths and other effects caused by the virus. There are clearly known harms, so why further the risk?

Hospitals, the assumed workplace of health care workers, need to absolutely take all measures to avoid H1N1 contamination. If a hospital workers are not vaccinated, the virus could spread through the medical facility, and the greater public would be at risk.