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.
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.
I.
Establish grounds for shot
a.
Safety
b.
Low risk side effects
II.
Benefits of shot
a.
Who would benefit most (elderly, athma, pregnant)
b.
Protects hospital staff while preventing spread
c.
Just like have to follow OSHA guidelines for safty,
should follow these
No comments:
Post a Comment