SWA 19: Exploratory Paper Outline

Title: Conflicting Interest of the Influenza Vaccination

Introduction: Mandating the flu shot is controversial.  Who, if anyone, should be require to have the vaccine?  People especially impacted by this issue would include people with asthma and their families, pregnant women, and healthcare employees and caregivers, and those being cared for by these employees. 

Thesis: The flu shot is greatly beneficial in some groups of people, such as those with asthma, pregnant women, and hospital workers.  On the other hand though, mandating the flu shot is rivaled by the possibility of negative complications.  

I.                 People with asthma and their families should get the flu vaccine. 

a.      People with asthma face greater complications than the average person when they have the flu.

b.     The shot should be given before the start of flu season.

II.               Pregnant women should get the flu shot for the protection of themselves and the children they are carrying. 

a.      Pregnant women have weaker immune systems than non-pregnant women. 

b.     The vaccine is passed onto the developing children for their first few months of life.

III.             Hospital workers and caregivers should get the flu shot.

a.      The shot not only protects the employees, but also helps protect flu-prone patients.

                                                    i.     Elderly are very susceptible to the flu. 

b.     The best way to increase the rate of employees getting the shot is by making it mandatory.

c.      The vaccine in nothing to fear.  The idea that the shot causes the flu is a myth. 

                                                    i.     Employees who have had the shot before are more likely to get it again.

IV.            Flu vaccinations should not be mandated in anyone.  Because the vaccination does sometimes have negative complications, getting the vaccination should be a personal choice.  

a.      People do not get the shot because of fear of side effects.

                                                    i.     The shot can cause allergic reactions and flu like symptoms for 1-2 days in some people. 

                                                  ii.     Some people avoid medicine in general, no matter what form it is in.

1.     Some parents suspect vaccinations can cause developmental problems, such as autism.

2.     Others avoid the shot due to the poor view of vaccines in their religions.    

3.     Employees would be forced to bear the cost of the flu shot season after season.   

Conclusion: Although the flu shot comes with possible side effects and distrust, it is very beneficial in protecting those with weaker immune systems.  The flu shot should be mandated in healthcare workers, just as other vaccines are mandated for the protection of the larger population.  This topic is of interest to me because of my love for the medical field.  As I pursue a career in occupational therapy, the mandating of the influenza vaccine could one day impact me personally.