Sunday, April 1, 2012

SWA 23: outline for essay 4


Mandating the Flu Shot for Employees in Hospital Systems

I.                 Do you really know the about the facts behind the flu shot?

a.      Twenty present of Americans have a case of the flu each year. 

b.      Some hospital systems are moving toward making the flu vaccination mandatory for all employees, from janitors to doctors. 

                                                    i.     The goal is to better protect patients who may be negatively affected by an unhealthy staff. 

                                                   ii.     However, those who fight against making the flu shot mandatory argue that the shot is either too risky or ineffective.

II.               Any hospital employee who comes in contact with patients and any form of paid caregivers should be required to have the flu vaccine seasonally.  Support for the vaccination in the medical community, driven by making the flu vaccine mandatory for staff, would help the general public growth to understand that the flu vaccination is both safe and effective.  It would especially help better protect the health of those with asthma, pregnant women, and elderly. 

III.              A plan to make the flu shot mandatory for all hospital employees would be both safe and effective. 

a.      Despite contrary claims, that the flu shot does not cause the flu.

                                                    i.     This misconception stems from the fact that it takes up to two weeks for the vaccination to take effect in the body. 

                                                   ii.     Some misdiagnose side effects of the shot as the flu itself. 

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

b.      Some believe that vaccines can lead to autism in children.  However, there is no evidence to support this idea.

c.      Others argue against mandating the flu shot because of the possibility of an allergic reaction. 

                                                    i.     Staff members who have previously responded to an allergic reaction because of the flu shot would be the only exemption from mandating plans.  An allergic reaction is the only serious risk of the flu shot. 

d.      Mandating the flu shot will ultimately have significant benefits for the surrounding population. 

                                                    i.     Requiring the shot will directly protect the health of the staff.       

1.      The flu vaccination will help keep the staff from getting the flu.    

a.      This result in less sick days.

2.      The vaccination will also prevent the staff from carrying the flu germs.

a.      If the staff is healthy, the patients are protected from germs carried by the staff. 

                                                                                                                i.     A healthy staff will especially benefit elderly, pregnant, and asthma patients. 

3.      Once the staff begins to trust the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination more strongly, trust for the vaccination will spread and trickle down. 

a.      Community members and other hospital systems will begin to see the vaccination as the standard norm. 

b.      Receiving the flu shot for a job is no different than the standard practice of school children receiving other vaccinations before starting school.  It protects the students and their peers. 

IV.              A plan mandating the flu vaccination in the employees of medical systems should be effectively implemented and enforced.           

a.      The vaccine needs to be received before the flu season. 

                                                    i.     On-site vaccinations should be offered at the cost of employers. 

b.      If employees refuse the vaccination, they must be terminated.

                                                    i.     Employees will be warned and offered a second chance to get the shot, but at their own expense if the first opportunity is missed.   

V.               Various plans of mandating the flu shot are taking hold in hospital systems, but the lack of stern enforcement are preventing their full development.  The shot is effective and safe; employees have nothing to fear concerning receiving the vaccination.  Ultimately enforcing a mandate of the flu vaccine could inhibit numerous flu-related deaths and prevent countless cases of the flu each year. 

No comments:

Post a Comment