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Mandate for H1N1 vaccine for healthworkers suspended in NY

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | October 25, 2009 at 07:57 am

377 views | 32 Recommendations | 3 comments

Due to a shortage of the H1N1 flu vaccines, New York Governor David Paterson has suspended the mandate which stated that all health care workers in the state must be vaccinated, press say.

The mandate had spurred debate in the state over what some saw as government intervention in civil liberties.

New York state made waves earlier this year when the health commissioner said all health-care workers had to get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu. Yesterday, the state suspended that rule — but not because of the court challenges and opposition it generated from the state nurses union.
Instead, the governor said in a statement, there isn’t enough H1N1 vaccine to go around, so not all workers would be able to get vaccinated by the Nov. 30 deadline. Pregnant women and others who are at high risk should have priority for vaccine that is available, officials said.

The statement did not mention that the rule had been put on hold anyway — a judge last week issued a temporary restraining order in response to multiple lawsuits that argued the state had overstepped its legal bounds in issuing the rule.

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a211423

at 11:23 on October 25th, 2009

I have some ambivalence in this matter. I support civil liberties, but I also know of the devastation of flu pandemics of the past. Health care workers are one of the most at risk populations. Should there be mandates? How would I feel if this were imposed on me? The emotional response is to recoil from a command such as this. A better way might be to have seminar with all health staff and make sure that their decision whether to get the vaccine is made with all the information pros and con. The hospital is poised to do this in a non confrontational way; therefore, I would not be in favor of a mandate.

cathyjohns (not verified)

at 14:57 on October 25th, 2009

i am a health care worker and i refuse to take this vaccine first of all not enough studies has been done to say is for sure safe secound how to we know the government isn't behind this after all the world is overpopulated? i don't trust nothing about it but this is just my opiniom!!!!

sandra hornby (not verified)

at 18:17 on October 26th, 2009

Why, Why,Why can some one explain to me and so many others why we are short of the seasonal flu shots?We had this problem last year.You would think after being so short last year someone would clear this problem up this year.Now we are dealing with the Swine Flu .The flu is caused by a virus,It's a common illness,It can make you sick,It can sperad quickly.Let's not forget it can kill you or your love one. So when were what time can we get the shots or is going to be to late? Iam mad tried of hearing oh we will have it in a couple weeks were out again and again. Wake up do your job Please it could be your love one that get's killed because oh we didn't make enough to go around for everyone.SWINE fLU KiLL's