As a public service to my Fellow Tennesseans...I contacted Susan Cooper, RN and TN Health Commissioner, to voice my concerns about a mandatory swine flu vaccination program in Tennessee...Here is a copy of my email correspondence:
What I wrote:
Could you forward this email to Susan Cooper? I could not find an email address to contact her directly.
My name is XXX XXXXX. I am a Registered Nurse in Nashville, TN. I recently saw a news report with you commenting on the Swine Flu or H1N1 Virus. I was curious if you have read the most recent articles concerning the mandatory vaccination of health care workers in New York? I will attach some links to the bottom of this email for your information. Do you know of any sort of legislation or law currently that would force Tennessee Health Care workers to receive the H1N1 vaccine? I also understand that there are trial vaccines being performed at Vanderbilt right now.
As an American, Tennessean, and Registered Nurse I am deeply concerned about this vaccine being made mandatory. All citizens should have a choice in receiving a vaccine. We currently do have a choice due to the Constitution and Bill of Rights. There are many other nurses and doctors who feel the H1N1 Vaccine may be unsafe and was rushed to be produced...
Here are some informative links:
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=51115
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=525827
I would like to hear your opinion and any sort of pending legislation that you know of..
Sincerely,
XXX XXXXX
Their Response:
Mr. XXXXXX,
Thank you for writing to Commissioner Cooper with your concerns. There are no plans or pending legislation federally or at the state level to mandate that people receive H1N1 pandemic vaccine. Tennessee's efforts are focused upon assuring swift access to the vaccine for that all those who need and want the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and patients. The pandemic vaccine will be FDA-licensed and is made exactly as seasonal flu vaccine is made; for this reason, we expect it to be as safe as seasonal flu vaccine, which also changes virus strains from year to year.
In Tennessee, healthcare providers in hospitals who refuse to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their vulnerable patients from influenza may sign a written declination statement to that effect. Influenza vaccine is not required for school or daycare.
Thank you for writing,
Kelly Moore, MD
Medical Director, TN Immunization ProgramBelow is the contact information I found ..I could not find a direct email address to Susan Cooper:
Department of Health
Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner
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The Tennessee Department of Health issues a monthly public notice of meetings of all government bodies whose actions can affect public policy.
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