WASHINGTON - September 26, 2009 - With the H1N1 pandemic scare spreading rapidly, hundreds of thousands of doctors, nurses, orderlies and other U.S. health-care workers for the first time are being required to get flu shots, drawing praise from many public-health authorities but condemnation from some employees, unions and other critics who object to mandatory vaccination.
One of the nation's most populous states, the country's largest hospital chain, and the Washington area's biggest private health-care system are among those ordering influenza inoculation for health-care employees this year, along with a growing list of medical centers and clinics coast to coast.
The trend is being fueled by frustration at the stubbornly low proportion of health-care workers who get vaccinated each year despite years of coaxing, urging and incentives to do so voluntarily, combined with trepidation that the swine flu pandemic scare could overwhelm the health-care system, especially if many caregivers get sick, too.
Critics, however, say the decision to get vaccinated should remain individual, especially for the swine flu vaccine, which was rushed into production.
"I don't want to be a guinea pig," said Orne Banks-Hopkins, 55, a clerical worker at Washington Hospital Center. "I don't think I should be forced to take something I don't want to take."
One of the nation's most populous states, the country's largest hospital chain, and the Washington area's biggest private health-care system are among those ordering influenza inoculation for health-care employees this year, along with a growing list of medical centers and clinics coast to coast.
The trend is being fueled by frustration at the stubbornly low proportion of health-care workers who get vaccinated each year despite years of coaxing, urging and incentives to do so voluntarily, combined with trepidation that the swine flu pandemic scare could overwhelm the health-care system, especially if many caregivers get sick, too.
Critics, however, say the decision to get vaccinated should remain individual, especially for the swine flu vaccine, which was rushed into production.
"I don't want to be a guinea pig," said Orne Banks-Hopkins, 55, a clerical worker at Washington Hospital Center. "I don't think I should be forced to take something I don't want to take."