DAK calls for mandatory H1N1 vaccination of healthcare workers, school children

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 22-Sep-2015

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today called for mandatory H1N1 vaccination of healthcare workers and school children which could significantly diminish the chance of flu outbreak.President DAK and H1N1 expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that mandatory flu vaccination will boost vaccination rates in these groups which will not only protect them but others in the community.During previous H1N1 outbreak vaccination rates in these groups were unacceptably low which was responsible for spread of flu.Healthcare workers can and do transmit influenza to vulnerable patients leading to illness, deaths and nosocomal outbreak.Mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare personnel is simple, safe and effective tool to improve patient safety and crucial step to reduce healthcare-associated influenza infection.

Patients entrust healthcare workers with their lives and clinicians should not be the ones to make them sick.Majority of school children in last flu season were unimmunized which was the reason of widespread H1N1 outbreak.In previous years 90% of children who died from flu were unvaccinated.In a study, mandatory vaccination increased vaccination rates of school children significantly and reduced the number of flu cases and deaths.Mandatory immunization is an efficient method of perpetuating herd immunity which protects not only those who have been vaccinated but also those who cannot be vaccinated.This mission of mandatory vaccination will be accomplished only if flu shot clinics are set up in hospitals and schools where vaccines are made available without stock-outs and free vaccines to those who cannot afford.