What If Vaccines Were Mandatory?

[Gidget]

I stopped taking flu shots years ago. I will not take them again.

What are your thoughts on mandatory vaccines for health care workers and military personnel and do you think one day they may be mandatory for the general public? Do you see that coming? While I see the good in many past vaccines, it worries me when those still in trial are being pushed on people. I would join paranoids anonymous but they won't tell me where they meet. :roll:

Health care workers protest mandatory H1N1 vaccine - WTEN: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports -

Troops to receive H1N1 Flu vaccinations

This link is pretty "far out" - but thought I would throw it in the thread anyway.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-universal-declaration-of-resistance-to-mandatory-vaccinations

G

 

[Mermaid]

The question's already been thrown out.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/health-wellness/21713-have-you-ever-taken-flu-shot-if-so-how-many.html

 

[Gidget]

The question's already been thrown out.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/health-wellness/21713-have-you-ever-taken-flu-shot-if-so-how-many.html

Interesting thread but not really the same as what I am asking.



G

 

[fisher]

I stopped taking flu shots years ago. I will not take them again.

What are your thoughts on mandatory vaccines for health care workers and military personnel and do you think one day they may be mandatory for the general public? Do you see that coming? While I see the good in many past vaccines, it worries me when those still in trial are being pushed on people. I would join paranoids anonymous but they won't tell me where they meet. :roll:

Health care workers protest mandatory H1N1 vaccine - WTEN: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports -

Troops to receive H1N1 Flu vaccinations

This link is pretty "far out" - but thought I would throw it in the thread anyway.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/a-universal-declaration-of-resistance-to-mandatory-vaccinations

G

I agree. I don't think most vaccines should be mandatory. There are a few that should be strongly encouraged, or even made mandatory due to the horrific consequences of not getting them. Smallpox, polio and maybe a couple others. But, the flu vaccine which isn't all that effective anyway, gardasil for little girls, chickenpox, etc. No way these should be mandatory.

 

[Gidget]

P.S. I'd like to hear from health care workers also. How would you feel if any vaccine were mandatory. Anthrax included. I am on the fence about this as I know vaccines have helped us eradicate many horrible diseases, yet it is scary to think of anyone being told something is mandatory. I suppose there can always be an exception to the rule though.

G

 

[Rita]

Interesting thread but not really the same as what I am asking. This is more of a political question.

Thanks for the heads up on the other thread. I'll have to answer it in a bit.

G

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Oh, please don't open up that other thread again!

I'm nearly out of tin foil and it's gotten dang expensive ....


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[TooFarTampa]

The question's already been thrown out.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/health-wellness/21713-have-you-ever-taken-flu-shot-if-so-how-many.html

Oh my cod can we please start over? Don't make us go back there.

It's a good question and I have no problem with mandatory regular flu shots for health care and military workers. Mr. TFT also has been required to get the (seasonal) flu shot for his work, which is just part of the deal.

For the general population, I'd say no way.

And for the swine flu -- well, in 1976 my mom was one of the first people in the area to get the vaccine for the swine flu outbreak of that year. She was the infection control nurse for a large hospital and as a result it was sort of her job to be the guinea pig. I think people like that understand that about the job going in. She was proud to do it and certainly felt it was her duty. It was kind of scary though because at the time, according to wiki:

The vaccination program was plagued by delays and public relations problems.[28] On October 1, 1976, immunizations began and three senior citizens died soon after receiving their injections. This resulted in a media outcry that linked these deaths to the immunizations, despite the lack of any proof that the vaccine was the cause. According to science writer Patrick Di Justo, however, by the time the truth was known?that the deaths were not proven to be related to the vaccine?it was too late. "The government had long feared mass panic about swine flu?now they feared mass panic about the swine flu vaccinations." This became a strong setback to the program.[29]

I hope the vaccine is better tested this time around, but yes, I think you start vaccinations with the people whose job it is to do such things, then advance from there to the general public. As for requirements, absolutely not for the general public, even if it is ebola. If someone doesn't want to take it they should not have to take it.

 

[Gidget]

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Oh, please don't open up that other thread again!

I'm nearly out of tin foil and it's gotten dang expensive ....


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. Rita

Not sure I follow you - haven't read the other thread in detail, but due to your past posts I would be curious how you would feel if you were a health care worker or in the military and was told you HAD to take a vaccine for H1N1. Would it bother you? I think many are not worried at all and perhaps that is the way to go, but it would bother me. Should it?

G

 

[Gidget]

Oh my cod can we please start over? Don't make us go back there.

It's a good question and I have no problem with mandatory regular flu shots for health care and military workers. Mr. TFT also has been required to get the (seasonal) flu shot for his work, which is just part of the deal.

For the general population, I'd say no way.

And for the swine flu -- well, in 1976 my mom was one of the first people in the area to get the vaccine for the swine flu outbreak of that year. She was the infection control nurse for a large hospital and as a result it was sort of her job to be the guinea pig. I think people like that understand that about the job going in. She was proud to do it and certainly felt it was her duty. It was kind of scary though because at the time, according to wiki:



I hope the vaccine is better tested this time around, but yes, I think you start vaccinations with the people whose job it is to do such things, then advance from there to the general public. As for requirements, absolutely not for the general public, even if it is ebola. If someone doesn't want to take it they should not have to take it.

This is EXACTLY the conversation I was hoping to draw in. Thank you! Fascinating about your mom and I guess I totally never knew about the 70's and swine flu. That's very interesting. I suppose you are correct in that health care workers and military expect that they will be called upon to lead the way so to speak and to be in ready mode. But some health care workers (see link) are concerned and I wonder if it is because there haven't been enough trials. I'd be interested in skunkape's opinion. I wonder if he has had it - I imagine so.

Thanks again - it is nice hear other's opinions on the subject.
G

And thanks for the quote from wiki

 

[Rita]

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H1N1 has already peaked in my daughter's HS, so the vaccine would be of little use now - I would presume. I would estimate close to 20% of student body has been affected. (not all were confirmed cases but students were out over the same time period with same symptoms).


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