Greetings,

Tell the Department of Health Commissioner to rescind the emergency regulation mandating health care providers, as a condition of employment, be vaccinated against the seasonal influenza and H1N1 (swine flu) virus.  Vaccination for influenza is not as effective in the control of disease as vaccination for diseases such as polio, measles, and mumps and the safety of the H1N1 vaccine has not been as thoroughly established.

Vaccination for influenza should be voluntary with emphasis on educational campaigns and enhanced infection control programs including measures such as use of N-95 or higher respirators and other personal protective equipment as recommended by OSHA, CDC, and the Institute of Medicine.

Subject: Mandatory Vaccination

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am opposed to the emergency regulation mandating that healthcare facility personnel be vaccinated for seasonal influenza, and the H1N1 virus. My opposition is based on the following:

1. The regulation does not provide for religious and philosophical objections. The H1N1 vaccine has not been fully tested, the right to refuse vaccination must be balanced against the efficacy in preventing different strains of influenza as well as its safety.

2. Emergency rule making did not allow for comments where issues of personal rights and safety and efficacy of the vaccination could be explored. Interested parties have not had an opportunity to weigh in on critical concerns before this action was undertaken.

3. No other state mandates vaccination for influenza, nor has the Federal government done so. New York health care workers should not be used to test out an unproven policy.

Reports from facilities that have implemented mandatory vaccination programs have shown that rather than being mandated to be vaccinated, a number of employees have retired or been fired. There is already a critical shortage of nurses this regulation will only exacerbate the shortage.

Vaccination for influenza should be voluntary with emphasis on educational campaigns and enhanced infection control programs including measures such as use of N-95 or higher respirators and other personal protective equipment as recommended by OSHA, CDC, and the Institute of Medicine.

I urge you to withdraw the emergency regulation mandating healthcare personnel to receive flu vaccinations and instead promulgate a regular regulation requiring all healthcare employers to offer voluntary vaccination programs with a strong educational component.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

cc:
Assembly Member Sheldon Silver
Governor David Paterson
Senator Malcolm Smith
Senator Pedro Espada
Your Assemblyperson (if you live in New York)
Your State Senator (if you live in New York)