ZABLOCKI SAYS NO TO MANDATORY INOCULATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            October 5, 2009

Contact:           Vincent Azzinaro

                        Campaign Manager

                        732-207-7255

 

ZABLOCKI SAYS NO TO MANDATORY INOCULATIONS

 

Calls for the New York State Department of Health to reverse decision on mandatory flu vaccinations for health care workers; Zablocki questions where de Blasio stands on the issue

 

New York -- Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate, stood in unison with health care workers from across New York City, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and the New York State Nurses Association today to oppose the mandatory inoculations against H1N1 flu ("swine flu").

 

            In August, the NYS Department of Health issued an emergency regulation mandating that healthcare workers get vaccinated.  Prior to this directive, vaccination was voluntary.

 

            "The H1N1 vaccine is too new and not fully tested and our healthcare workers should not be used as guinea pigs by the Department of Health.  Healthcare workers should not be forced to get vaccinated as this may be more of a risk to their own health.  This directive is a knee-jerk reaction to the hysteria that the swine flu outbreak has caused. State imposed regulations such as this undermine our individual freedoms," Alex Zablocki said.  "This inoculation should be voluntary, not mandatory," Zablocki continued.

 

Zablocki also questioned where Councilman Bill de Blasio, his Democratic opponent in this race, stands on the issue:

 

"This is an important issue for healthcare workers across New York City.  They need a voice now more than ever before. It is my hope that this doesn't become a partisan issue but an issue of liberty and workers' rights," Zablocki said. "The Department of Health should reverse its decision immedaitely.  Our healthcare workers should not be subjected to this mandate," Zablocki said.

 

This is an unusual mandate because it doesn't allow workers to abstain for religious objections, but only medical reasons. 

 

For more informaton on Alex Zablocki and his campaign, visit www.alex2009.com.

 

Alex Zablocki is the Republican candidate for Public Advocate. A Staten Island native of 26 year of age, he is the youngest candidate ever to run for the position.

 

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