Answered Conundrum Next Conundrum

cmajaski cmajaski

Should prisoners be getting the H1N1 vaccination?

People are angry that prisoners have been given priority and are receiving the H1N1 vaccine before much of the general public is able to. Do you think they should be given the vaccine before others?

http://www.sphere.com/2009/10/28/fury-erupts-over-h1n1-shots-for-prisoners/
Interesting Question? Yes (0) No (0)
RSS

Best Answer Chosen by Asker

psionandy
psionandy
Marked as Best! October 29, 2009 07:15 PM
Taking for granted that the H1N1 virus is as much of a risk to the population as it is claimed then, theres no reason that prisoners shouldn't get the vaccination. In fact seeing as they are in very close contact with other prisoners they should be considered a high priority at risk group for the vaccine.

Despite the fact that they are prisoners we still have a moral duty to provide care. Prisons certainly aren't places where "cruel and unusual punishments" should be handed out.

From a more practical point of view a major swine flu outbreak in the prison system would toe up so much healthcare resources that it would put the general population at risk.
Asker's Rating:
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply

Other Answers (8)
Sort By

brotherton...
brotherton...
October 29, 2009 02:40 PM
Yes, when the high risk groups are taken care of first. We would not want a whole jail population to get sick behind the flu, because it could cost the government more money to take care of the prisoners then just paying for a flu shot.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
lisak52
lisak52
October 29, 2009 02:43 PM
NO!!!

They should not.The officers working with them should though.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
silverhamm...
silverhamm...
October 30, 2009 02:00 PM
Officers? lol, you mean private security guards that had no other choice when they failed cop school? You mean the sole source of all the drugs and condoms being let into the prison system? You mean those swell fellows and gals that do more to promote racial segregation and stereotyping than the prisoners themselves?

I LOVE THOSE GUYS!

Yeah, let the prisoners die. After all with the rate of those falsely accused and being set free being so low, the risk of passing on their care vs. someone who got caught for something they actually did is an acceptable one.

I mean what if it were you in there? Definitely pass it along to someone more worthy.

Oops, sorry, my sarcasm keylock is stuck. Happy Halloween!
Report
unwirklich
unwirklich
October 29, 2009 02:48 PM
I don't think anyone should take the vaccine in the first place, but that's not question here.

Morally these people are locked up and the state has taken their care into their hands in trade for the prisoners freedom. Whether they did something to deserve being there is irrelevant. I look at it this way. If I cage my dog because he peed on the floor and forget to feed him so he dies, it is my fault. I have done something wrong. I took away the dogs ability to obtain food on its own. In the same way we remove the ability of these prisons to obtain health care on their own and are obligated to provide it no matter what that need is.

Odd analogy I know, but it seemed a good way to get my reasoning across.
Helpful Answer? (1)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
rondata
rondata
October 29, 2009 05:11 PM
Considering the N1H1 virus is created just as regular flu virus vaccine's are created, why are you against it? :)
Report
unwirklich
unwirklich
October 30, 2009 12:10 AM
That's a long answer I've covered here before. Summary: insufficient testing, mercury preservative, way to long a list of adverse effects. I've also already had swine flu. :)
Report
oliviabee
oliviabee
October 29, 2009 03:43 PM
i think children should get it first i saw the program to i thought that was crazy no they shouldnt especially the for life
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
menergy
menergy
October 29, 2009 04:23 PM
Yes I think so. If all the prisoners are infected the authority will be in the obligation to move them to a hospital because they can't all be get the medical attention in prison, and that will cost the government a lot of money and the chance that a prisoner escape easily will be very high. and that a risk no body want to take.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
quesera
quesera
October 29, 2009 08:32 PM
Due to the shortage of vaccine, I believe incarcerated citizens should be treated just like those of us who aren't incarcerated, with preference going to pregnant offenders, those will immune system deficiencies, and the younger offenders who are more likely to be seriously impacted. Once the general population is able to obtain the vaccine without demonstrating risk factors, then healthier offenders should also get it.

An epidemic in a prison would indeed be serious, but because they aren't any cozier than the average college dorm, I don't think their institution should be treated any differently than any other group of adults. The staff should probably be the ones who are vaccinated, since the prison is a closed system, and if staff don't bring the virus in, the virus won't exist in the prison. New offenders can be quarantined until it is clear they aren't infected, and prevention can probably win out.

I agree with the poster who said that the state has taken custody and therefore responsibility, but I don't think the state owes them better care than is available to the general public. Since the vaccine is being rationed to the general population, I think the same rules should apply to offenders.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
tealmyster
tealmyster
October 30, 2009 03:38 AM
Most of me wants to say yes....BECAUSE there are so many people coming in and out of jails and prisons carrying who knows what....Although they have violated the law and are serving time for their mistakes..allowing them to wait, possibly get the disease and it becoming fatal to them...that's not right either. They are people too and they are people who are restricted to a certain area and hoenstly they are at a higher risk for certain things because of their area restrictions.... although some prisoners due to their crimes...yes it would be easier if they got sick and vanished but ultimately they deserve medical attention and vaccinations to protect them as well...Even those on death row...they can catch and pass on things as well...:)
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply
ilovebookz
ilovebookz
October 30, 2009 01:34 PM
No. I think especially the ones on death row should be denied the vaccine because some of them have been sitting in their cell appealing their sentence for 15+ years and we the tax payers pay for them to have free room and board, besides do you know what they get to eat in prison. My dad used to be a security officer at a prison, and those inmates got to eat Haagen Daaz ice cream and have hot chocolate and all kinds of stuff and the prison has ordered Nike shoes for some of them. It's ridiculous. So no, I think they should have to suffer and maybe even die from the H1N1 virus.
Helpful Answer? (0)   (0)
Permalink | Report
Reply

Answer this Question


View All Belief and Thought Questions

Ask a Conundrum


140 characters left

Categories

Large Glass of Conundrum Wine

Welcome to ConundrumLand

Please enter your zip code.