By Judy Martin

A new batch of the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine is enroute to Long Island next week. The destination–health care institutions in Nassau and Suffolk. Health care providers and emergency personnel top the list of those who are targeted to get the vaccine. An emergency state mandate requires such workers to get the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine to prevent the spread of the swine flu, which health officials globally have in the public health cross hairs.

Like other vaccines in the past, the FDA has approved this vaccine, but some health care workers across the island feel the test trials were not sufficient enough to prove the H1N1 vaccine efficient or without complications. That’s why a number of nurses News 12 spoke with today plan to head to Albany next Tuesday to protest the mandate. Not only are they concerned about their health, but they’re worried if they refuse to take the vaccine they’ll lose their jobs.

Hospitals have no choice but to comply with the state mandate. The onus is upon them to figure out a way to adhere to the rules, even if it means taking disciplinary action against employees who refuse.

The argument surrounding the right to refuse any vaccine has been around for a long time. The question is: Is the swine flu vaccine really any different than getting other vaccines mandated by the state for health care workers, measles for example.

The weighted conversation at this point surrounds whether health care workers have to right to make the choice to refuse in a time of great concern about the spread of the swine flu. Hospitals must ensure their workers get the shot by November 30th, according to the state requirements.

New York has one of the most stringent mandates. Very few are excluded from getting the shot, however other states like Alabama, Arkansas, California and Kentucky allow for exemptions due to medical or religious reasons. Rally’s against the state mandate are planned for both Long Island and the state capital for next Tuesday.  If you’d like to learn more about Swine Flu and the vaccine, here are some links you may find helpful:

National Vaccine Information Center
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NYS Department of Health