Editorials
Wise decisions on flu vaccine
Oct 29, 2009 10:00 AM
The suspension of the mandate requiring influenza vaccinations of New York health care workers is a huge victory for the union.
While Gov. David Paterson took that step due to a shortage of the vaccine, the union was out front in opposition to the original state directive forcing all health care workers to receive it.
The UFT’s Federation of Nurses — members who work in hospitals or as visiting nurses — opposed mandatory vaccinations on other grounds, namely the legitimate medical, religious and personal concerns expressed by members.
Last summer, the federal government estimated that 120 million doses of H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine would be available nationwide by the end of October. But earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that fewer than 28 million doses would be available by then, adding that New York would receive only 23 percent of its anticipated supply.
State health experts recommended that the limited supplies be used to protect first those populations most at risk of serious illness or death, especially pregnant women and people between the ages of six months and 24 years. The governor and the state health commissioner agreed and suspended the mandate for health care workers.
In testimony before the New York State Assembly, Anne Goldman, the Federation of Nurses/UFT special representative of 4,500 members working in health care, said requiring staff to get the shots — even when they have a documented history of bad reactions and medical contraindications exist — is objectionable, legally questionable and potentially dangerous.
In response to a lawsuit filed by New York State United Teachers, our state affiliate, and two other parties jointly seeking to make flu vaccinations voluntary, Albany Supreme Court Judge Thomas McNamara issued a temporary restraining order pending an Oct. 30 hearing on the compulsory vaccination program, which was to have been completed by Nov. 30.
The judge made a wise decision then and the governor and the health commissioner made a wise decision thereafter. We hope that all affected parties proceed as judiciously in the weeks ahead in seeking a permanent resolution to the issue when sufficient doses of the vaccine do become available.
