Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Question for 51% of American Workers
A report on flu by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued in late October 2009 has some sobering facts on flu in America. Seasonal flu reportedly kills about 36,000 Americans, hospitalizes more than 200,000 individuals, and costs the U.S. economy more than $10 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses annually.
A recent online survey focuses on the workplace. It found:
- 69 percent of workers had not received workplace communications about flu policies through September 2009,
- 84 percent of workers said the recession creates more pressure to show up for work even if ill,
- 80 percent of workers reported they feel knowledgeable about precautions to take if flu were to hit their workplace,
- 47 percent of workers said they would still engage in public activities (e.g., bus riding, shopping, etc.) if hit by the flu, and
- 49 percent of workers plan to get vaccinated if a vaccine is available.
What is so startling about these statistics is that ostensibly 51 percent of American workers do not plan to get vaccinated if a vaccine is available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in late October 2009 that the H1N1 flu has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths nationwide so far this year. (Information and analysis is available from www.factcheck.org.)
So our question is, “What do 51 percent of the American workforce know about the vaccine that the rest of us don’t know?”
Even though the availability of the vaccine will be greater for those of us who do want it, we are acutely interested in what those who will not take it if available know that we all should know.
Please help us to understand this phenomenon. Have you taken the flu vaccine? Why or why not?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Most people who die from the flu are those who were already immuno-compromised, those with weak or undeveloped immune systems (elderly and young children) or those taking medications that have impact on the immune system. For the rest of the population, just remembering good hygiene and WASHING YOUR HANDS is VERY effective against seasonal flu.
I much prefer to keep my own immune system up and running to efficiency than to taking a vaccine that could potentially compromise my immune system as well. If and when I take medicines that compromise my immune system or get sick or have anything else affect my immune system is when I will get vaccinated, but in the meantime I'll let what my body was designed to do.
The US Chamber recognizes that this issue has many dimensions and is exploring whether legislation would be helpful without being overburdening. Inform someone today! the US Chamber’s Fan Page… http://www.facebook.com/uschamber?ref=ts
Vaccination for anything these days is a bit of a political issue. (Yes, I'm referring to the questions regarding the potential correlation between childhood immunizations and the development of Autism Spectrum Disorders.)
Vaccination remains a personal choice. As employers, we would prefer our employees do everything they can to avoid becoming sick because illness equals decreased productivity. In the case of the pandemic flu, there are also strong concerns about contagion.
However, vaccination remains a personal choice. A civil liberty, if you will. Therefore, I find the tone of the post a bit supercilious in the way it seems stupified that 51% of the nation chooses for themselves what medical interventions to make.
blind faith in the health care system in genral is a thing of the past...I really do not know what is in that syringe
The first reply to this blog by Anonymous said “ I much prefer to keep my own immune system up … than taking a vaccine that could potentially compromise my immune system.”
No quarrel here with the idea that everyone should try to remain as healthy as possible. But that does speak to, in my opinion, the two main argument for vaccines:
1. Vaccines have virtually eliminated some very serious (potentially death causing) diseases: Diphtheria, measles, mumps, polio, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis A, Hib, and others. (Source Journal of the AMA)
2. Getting vaccinated helps to protect others, especially children, who don’t get vaccinated.
Fred
In my posting, the second sentence in the second paragraph should read: But that does not speak to, in my opinion, the two main arguments for vaccines.
Fred -
While it is true that vaccines are necessary for very debilitating diseases like you said, washing hands is very effective against the spread of the flu. Even people who are vaccinated can still spread the flu if they themselves get the flu. It does help the spread by helping to stop the flu from happening, but like I said, for a healthy adult who practices good hygiene and WASHES THEIR HANDS appropriately, there is no need for the flu vaccine.
The diseases you mentioned, washing your hands isn't as effective so those are important. And many of those are childhood disease. Children SHOULD be given the flu vaccine.
Anyone who has the flu, whether vaccinated or not, should not be near children.
Again, even vaccinated adults/children who get the flu can spread it to others.
Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.
Post a Comment