Mandatory Flu Shots

[HopefulERDOC]

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The government of British Columbia is now making flu shots mandatory for healthcare workers
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/flu-shots-mandatory-healthcare-workers-202509681.html
According to the neighbourhood vaccines-cause-autism crazies this is an assault on civil liberties.
http://vran.org/in-the-news/forced-...lthcare-workers-threatens-health-and-liberty/
I would understand that you wouldn't want one if you were allergic or perhaps had "religious" reasons but the B.C law would allow you to just wear a mask for the duration of the flu season.
What are your thoughts?

 

[deleted109597]

I tend to think this is one of those areas that seems like I have a double standard, but I don't.

Your rights stop at the point they infringe upon my rights. Thus, if you want to get the flu, by all means do so. Just don't put me at greater risk. Therefore, if you can't/don't get the shot, you either have to wear the mask or stay home.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Your rights stop at the point they infringe upon my rights. Thus, if you want to get the flu, by all means do so. Just don't put me at greater risk. Therefore, if you can't/don't get the shot, you either have to wear the mask or stay home.

👍

 

[EctopicFetus]

You would force a shot with at best a 62% chance of working?

I got the shot but am strongly opposed to forcing an adult to do this. In the US in most places you can just decline which is fine. I am too lazy to sign all the forms I need to in order to decline the shot so i just do it.

I am opposed to forcing this on anyone.

 

[DeadCactus]

A 62% efficacy in one person is negligible. A 62% efficacy in an entire workforce is is pretty significant. Then you have the whole issue of bringing limiting infectious disease around the ill and fragile.

I'm fine with it being "mandatory" and leaving an opt out process just complicated enough to screen out people who don't have at least some conviction behind their refusal...

 

[han14tra]

Don't all medical schools do this?

Email from my school this year:

"Influenza vaccination is mandatory for all students and employees. If you fail to fulfill this requirement, you will be pulled out of your rotation and you will not be allowed to participate in any exams until you comply."

 

[Pharmavixen]

The debate is coming to Ontario, though I don't think the health minister has proposed it as yet. I'm in the Dr McNinja "the right to swing your fist ends where my face begins" camp.

I'm also against religious exemptions to vaccines, though I can see how enforcement would be problematic when you're dealing with people who think that spreading their filthy germs is on the side of God.

 

[TheBlueBlazer]

I agree the whole get it or wear a mask all season is a reasonable choice for a person to make. If you're going to refuse something that is proven beneficial, free, and beyond incredibly low-risk, then you have to bear the burden.

Now, if we could only make the non-vaccinated wear something on their uniform like a big red F, we'd know who the a-holes infecting everyone are.

 

[glorfindel]

This isn't a war that I'm particularly interested in fighting, but my initial thought is...

no way. Opposed to mandatory shots.

Pretty soon they're gonna be telling me I've gotta have the newly-developed happy shot because my grumpiness drags people down.

However, I can see the argument on the other side. **ends post limply**

 

[gutonc]

This isn't a war that I'm particularly interested in fighting, but my initial thought is...

no way. Opposed to mandatory shots.

Pretty soon they're gonna be telling me I've gotta have the newly-developed happy shot because my grumpiness drags people down.

However, I can see the argument on the other side. **ends post limply**

You need the happy shot because you live in Seattle. Of course, since you can now buy weed OTC, perhaps you won't need it.

 

[glorfindel]

You need the happy shot because you live in Seattle.

Hmm, not so much. Seattle has good coffee, and lots of it. Now if I lived in TEXAS, whew, boy howdy, then I'd need a happy DRIP!

(Can't resist. Just can't.)

Of course, since you can now buy weed OTC, perhaps you won't need it.

That helps only if I can buy CHEESEBUGERS at the same time.

 

[docB]

You would force a shot with at best a 62% chance of working?

I got the shot but am strongly opposed to forcing an adult to do this. In the US in most places you can just decline which is fine. I am too lazy to sign all the forms I need to in order to decline the shot so i just do it.

I am opposed to forcing this on anyone.

This is where I am on this too.

 

[Bostonredsox]

My shops administrative policy was 'take the shot or you wear a mask 24/7 in the hospital from october-april." I tend to rock a beard especially on nights and the mask annoys me alot then. i took the shot. But I agree with everything you have all said. Not worth fighting to me, particularly when I am trying to get admin to buy us an arctic sun and a glidescope.

 

[deleted109597]

You would force a shot with at best a 62% chance of working?

You force people to sign out AMA for not doing things that are less effective?

 

[DreamingTheLive]

I agree the whole get it or wear a mask all season is a reasonable choice for a person to make. If you're going to refuse something that is proven beneficial, free, and beyond incredibly low-risk, then you have to bear the burden.

Now, if we could only make the non-vaccinated wear something on their uniform like a big red F, we'd know who the a-holes infecting everyone are.

👍 +1

 

[la gringa]

i'm allergic and have to get mine at the allergist... also asthmatic so can't do flumist.

i have gotten the flu shot annually for as long as i can remember due to having asthma... have NEVER had the flu and don't want it for me or my patients.

small price to pay. if i knew i made even one person ill from my not wanting a stab in the arm and day of myalgias, i'd feel so awful.