Response to the post: Discuss the ethical dilemma of mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers.

Please Write a response to this post: Response must relate previous paper to the classmate post. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV As a healthcare professional, we have several obligations dictated to us dentists stated both by the oath taken at our white coat ceremony and the ADA’s Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Codes such as Nonmaleficence and Beneficence obligating us to “do no harm” and “do good” in our professional work (ADA.org). These obligations to do no harm are targeted not only towards the patient, but the dental professional themselves. It is an obligation to the career to keep up with our health, both mentally and physically, in order to treat patients to the best of our abilities. This physical maintenance is staying to date with mandated vaccines. Dentists have strict infection control guidelines enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of disease using standard precautions taken in every dental office. Alongside these rules, the CDC also has key recommendations for the dental health care personnel safety starting with its recommendations for immunizations, TB screenings, and policies concerning postexposure management (CDC.gov). An adults’ immune system is a critical determinant in preventing disease and this starts with building antibodies from immunization. This mindset of preventative protection should be uniform whether patient, staff member, or head of any organization. There are plenty of studies proving the effectiveness of vaccines, their recommended dosing, and each vaccine’s disease epidemiology. But it is important to remember that us dentists, because of our direct contact with possibly infectious patients, are at high risk of exposure to preventable diseases (Shefer, 2011). And to deliberately put oneself, and subsequently others, at risk of infection would be selfish and a direct violation of the Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct we promised to abide by. As a current dental student, I am held to the same standards required by dentists in my field and while not all patients might have the same beliefs it is still our responsibility to take every measure possible to protect ourselves and the patient. To do no harm. The mandatory vaccination of us healthcare workers does not infringe on anyone’s civil liberty, if anything, promotes the protection and further quality of life for not only the individual but those around them. And although there might be patients and coworkers that might have different opinions, it is my responsibility to be respectful of others choices while educating them on the proper infection control we as healthcare professionals are obligated to abide by. References ADA.org. (n.d.). ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/principles-of-ethics-code-of-professional-conduct CDC.gov. (n.d.). Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/pdf/safe-care2.pdf Shefer, A. (2011). Immunization of Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6007a1.htm This week 1st paper instruction. Vaccines are central to public health goals and principles. However, they have become controversial in some circles. Because their jobs put them at increased risk for contracting or becoming a carrier of of infectious diseases, healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics are required to be immunized against diseases such as Hepatitis B, seasonal influenza, or other infectious diseases. Should vaccinations for health care workers be mandatory? Or should it be left up to an individual’s choice? Are mandatory vaccinations a violation of an individual’s civil liberty? Furthermore, might your view point on this shift, depending on whether you are a patient, staff member, or head of the organization/agency? To whom are you responsible and how might you argue for or against mandatory vaccination in light of your point of view. Please support your view point with research literature and/or principles of public health as covered in your assigned readings. Please remember that public health professionals often work with others who have opinions that differ from their own. In this discussion, please remember to be professional and respectful of others whose opinions may differ from yours. Competencies: 6. Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health. 7. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs. 9. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence. 11. Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations. 12. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity. 13. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges. 17. Demonstrate ethical decision-making in the practice of dental public health. 20. Critically appraise evidence to address oral health issues for individuals and populations. Learning Objective: 1. Discuss the ethical dilemma of mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Office of the Secretary. (1979). Belmont Report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research, Report of the national commission for the protection of human subjects of biomedical and behavioral research. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/sites/default/files/the-belmont-report-508c_FINAL.pdf [10 pages] Thomas, J. C., Sage, M., Dillenberg, J., & Guillory, V. J., (2002). A code of ethics for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 92(7), 1057-1059. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC14 47186/pdf/0921057.pdf [3 pages] Chapters 9 and 23 in the Schneider Introduction to Public Health textbook. [18, 12 pages] Review: Chapter 20 in the Schneider Introduction to Public Health textbook

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