Health Care Personnel Opposed to New Mandatory Vaccinations May Lose Their Job
In August,
The regulation’s broad definition of Health Care Personnel is estimated to cover more than half a million people in the State; everyone from Registered Nurses in State Hospitals to volunteers in private nursing home facilities. While New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has defended the regulation as beneficial to both patients and workers, many have rallied against it.
On September 29th as others rallied in
In an open letter by Dr. Daines in September the Health Commissioner explained that a fully vaccinated staff will help guard against any staff shortages if there is an outbreak. In a typical year, less than half of hospital workers receive a flu shot. Speaking directly to his critics, the letter also states, “Our overriding concern as health care workers should be the interests of our patients, not our own sensibilities about mandates.”
One reason many health care personal have objected specifically to the mandatory H1N1 vaccine is because they believe it has not been properly tested. A typical clinical trial will last years to ensure its safety. The H1N1 vaccine has been rushed and has been guaranteed legal protection by the federal government, meaning that individuals may not sue the manufacturer for any side effects caused by the vaccine. “By releasing the manufacturers from any liability and expediting the approval process, it seems like a disincentive to adequately test for safety. There is no financial incentive to make a safe vaccine, and no repercussions for making an unsafe one,” said Noreen Durfee, a registered nurse at
“Employees are entitled to their opinions but we are obligated to follow state law,” said Laureen Sheprow, a media representative at
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