Ontario Nurses' Association - CNA: Rescind your flawed position on mandatory immunization

Update March 25, 2013: A commentary published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on March 25, 2013 suggests that mandatory flu immunizations for health-care workers should be "put on hold until there is a more effective influenza vaccine."

Read The Winnipeg Free Press article that summarizes the commentary here (March 25, 2013).

Canadian Nurses Association: Rescind your flawed position on mandatory immunization

Nurses Have Rights Too The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has adopted a flawed position statement that recommends mandatory immunization of Registered Nurses (RNs).

But there is no scientific basis for their position.

The case law has recognized that mandating health care workers to receive a vaccination is akin to an assault if the individual does not willingly consent to the vaccination, or does so under the threat of suspension.

Send your own message, now, to urge the CNA board of directors to rescind their position statement.

Step 1: Fill in your information

* Your Name:
* Your E-mail Address:
* Your Postal Code (or City):
Message Subject Line:	Rescind your flawed position on mandatory immunization
TO:	Barbara Mildon, RN, President, Canadian Nurses' Association Rachel Bard, RN, CEO, Canadian Nurses' Association Cheryl Banks, RN, President, Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island Claire Betker, RN, Associate Member Representative Maggie Danko, President, Canadian Nursing Students' Association Susan Duncan, RN, President, Association of Registered Nurses of British Columbia Dianne Dyer, RN, President, College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta Kandice Hennenfent, RN, President, Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association Peggy Heynen, RN, Past-President, Yukon Registered Nurses Association Angela Luciani, RN, President, Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories & Nunavut Vincent MacLean, Public Representative Peter MacDougall, RN, President, College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia Joseph Mapa, Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives Representative France Marquis, RN, President, Nurses Association of New Brunswick Cathy Rippin-Sisler, RN, President, College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Rhonda Seidman-Carlson, RN, President, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario Cathy Stratton, RN, President, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland & Labrador
CC:	Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) Canadian Federation of Nurses' Unions (CFNU)

Step 2: Edit your message (optional)

Your Message (feel free to modify the default message):
Dear Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Board of Directors, On November 28, 2012, you adopted a flawed Position Statement on Influenza Immunization of Registered Nurses in which you recommended that: - “all registered nurses (RNs) should receive the influenza vaccine annually”; and - “policies that place immunization as a condition of service should be introduced.” As a fellow health care professional, it is with frustration and disappointment that I am writing to urge you to rescind this position statement. Front-line nurses and allied health professionals work with patients, clients, and residents every day. Our lives are dedicated to the well-being of those for whom we care. We would never compromise their health or safety, and we are particularly conscious of the most vulnerable--such as infants, seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses--by rigorously adhering to reasonable and effective efforts to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. There is no scientific basis for your position. In fact, the relevant research literature concludes that what you propose (vaccination of health care workers) does not prevent laboratory-proven influenza in long-term care facilities. Your position statement also overlooks the fact that I, and the rest of your colleagues, have the same legal right to "security of person" as is guaranteed to everyone in Canada by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Vaccination is an invasive measure, unlike other protections such as gloves, gowns, respirators, etc. So, while I support the precautionary principle, immunization as a condition of service is an extreme and unreasonable application. To mandate that nurses receive an influenza vaccination is akin to assault if a nurse does not willingly consent to the vaccination or is compelled to consent under the threat of suspension. Your position statement misrepresents the evidence and fails to adequately consider the rights of the nurses for whom your organization purports to be a national voice. Please rescind it immediately. Sincerely,
Your name and postal code will automatically be added as a signature at the end of your message.
A copy of your message will be sent to your email address for your reference.

Step 3: Complete this spam-prevention check

Please enter the 4th word on the page title (pink text)

Step 4: Click 'send'