Forced h1n1 shots for mental health workers who do not work in hospitals, not servicing medical patients? Ok?
I work in an office building (not a hospital) and offer psychotherapy. The people I treat are coming to me because of psychological problems not medical illnesses. I am paid by a health system. The health system is mandating flu vaccines. Should I be forced to take the h1n1 and seasonal flu shots or lose my job? I was born before 1950 and the CDC says that the reason so few have died (<160) from this age group is that they have probably already been exposed. Does it is seem reasonable that this is such a medical threat that my rights to determine my own medical decisions should be suspended?
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February 28th, 2010 at 7:02 am
You cannot be forced.
If they threaten to fire you, you can threaten to sue them for unjust termination.
And YOU would win if it does come to that.
The only way employers can weasel out of it is if, when you began employment, you signed a legal document saying you would receive the "mandatory" vaccine.
Also, I want to share some facts about the vaccine I posted on another person’s question. Present these facts to your employer and see what they say!
I want to start out by stating that I work in infectious disease. I do not believe all the conspiracy theories. I am an advocate of many vaccines. However I will NEVER in my life receive any type of influenza vaccine. I have never received any flak from my department because they share the same opinion.
Frankly, in my opinion, there is no point to receiving an influenza vaccine, especially H1N1. I see many cases in which a vaccinated person still contracts H1N1. This is because at best, only one in four people are truly protected. I will explain below.
I have attached a link that will take you to the the FDA website. This is a link to the PACKAGE INSERT that comes with the vaccine.
It states in the mechanism of action section: "In some human studies, antibody titers of 1:40 or greater have been associated with protection from influenza illness in up to 50% of subjects". Then take a look at the immunogenicity section. In the tables you will see that 48.7% of people 18-35 meet the seroconversion factor and 34% of those >65 meet the seroconversion factor. Take into account that only 50% of those who meet the seroconversion factor are protected. That means that only half of that 48.7% and half of that 34% are truly protected. That equals only 24% of people 18-65 and 17% of people >65 who are protected after receiving the vaccination. Crazy, huh!
And also I want to point out that on that SAME package insert, it states, regarding pregnant women, "Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine or AFLURIA. It is also not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed."
And yet the media AND the government were urging pregnant women to get it? It boggles my mind!
I hope you share this information. I truly believe in many vaccinations, e.g. measles, mumps, tetanus, etc., but I do not, nor will I ever, receive an influenza vaccine. I will never vaccinate my children against influenza either.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBl…
February 28th, 2010 at 7:02 am
I work for a mental health system as well and I was afraid that the H1N1 was going to be forced upon us as well. I had done my homework and would not and will not get the vac. It is MY body, not theirs and I would refuse the shot! I think it is wrong that the choice is between the health of your body and your job. It’s ridiculous. Especially after looking into the H1N1 vac, getting it, in my honest opinion is the wrong decision. But to each their own.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:02 am
You might want to consult a lawyer. It really depends on the facility or your employer. The people at the hospital where I work are able to refuse shots for religious reasons or whatever and can’t be fired, but they are put on desk duty and not allowed to interact with patients.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:20 am
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March 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 am
[...] is because at best, only one in four people are truly protected. … Read the original here: Forced h1n1 shots for mental health workers who do not work in … Posted in H1N1 Flu, H1N1 Influenza Virus. Tags: are-truly, because-at-best, four-people, [...]
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:37 am
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July 20th, 2010 at 3:45 am
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