Better to be safe than sorry

With flu season now upon us, the question looms – to vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
It is a decision that should be left up to the individual, but in many cases a person’s job puts them at risk. Worse still, in some situations a person could be in a position where they are spreading the disease to others. With so much concern about H1N1, it seems ethical to err on the side of precaution.

That is why we say that it is fair for institutions to mandate that employees get the vaccination.

Mandatory vaccinations are nothing new. Before being allowed to attend IU, students must be immunized against measles, rubella, mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis and tuberculosis.

It is common practice in educational institutions to make sure that students are in an environment that is healthy for both mind and body. There is no reason to make an exception for this policy in the case of H1N1.

The strain seems to have leveled off in the Southeast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, but that is not true for IU’s location. The Midwest, Rocky Mountain area and Southwest are now experiencing an increase in cases.

“Many outbreaks will have waned significantly by the time H1N1 vaccine becomes widely available,” said Dr. James C. Turner, president of the American College Health Association. “Therefore, the next two to three months represent a critical period for achieving high rates of immunization among college students before the next wave starts this winter.”

As an at-risk group, it is important that students, faculty and staff are encouraged to get the vaccination.

A similar situation arose in New York when the state tried to mandate that health care workers get the vaccination. This was struck down by a state Supreme Court judge in an effort to preserve personal freedom over panic.

In a situation such as New York’s, it is unreasonable for the government to demand that all health care workers get the vaccine or get fired, but in IU’s case, it seems reasonable that employees are at least encouraged to get the vaccine.

Contracting the virus on campus affects everyone. Many schools quarantine those affected in an isolated living space until they are fever-free for 24 hours.

But quarantines seem like a drastic way to deal with a flu when simply getting the vaccination can prevent the spread of the illness.