HLTH 8301 Week 1 Discussion: COVID-19—The Debate Over Mandatory Vaccinations and Masking
Posting Information for This Discussion
This Discussion aligns to the NCHL domain of Relations. Specifically, it focuses on the second level of the Impact & Influence Competency: “Takes a Single Approach to Persuade.” For more information on how this icon aligns to the NCHL Health Leadership Competency Model 3.0, refer to the MHA Iconography page.
A vaccine is often the most effective form of prevention for many diseases. The experience with COVID-19 highlighted the importance of vaccinations for reducing the spread of disease within the population and attenuating the effects should one become infected. An October 2023 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimated the COVID vaccine prevented approximately 18.5 million hospitalizations and 3.2 million deaths. As of 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people who are 6 months or older receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Mandatory vaccination is a controversial strategy that pits healthcare professionals and personal autonomy against patient/public safety and employee relations. Administrators planning to implement mandatory vaccination policies for healthcare professionals must understand the implications involved in these policies.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
To prepare for this Discussion:
- Review all resources regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in the Learning Resources. In addition, research the current recommendations and status of the COVID-19 virus.
- Consider the following:
- Although the federal mandate for healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was rescinded in 2023, many hospitals and healthcare organizations have formalized their COVID-19 vaccination policies moving forward.
- For this Discussion, you will format your post as if you are advising the CEO of a healthcare organization or healthcare system on what would be the optimal vaccination policy for COVID-19.
By Wednesday
Post your Discussion, to include the following:
- Analyze the implications of implementing (or not implementing) a vaccination policy for a healthcare organization in terms of healthcare service delivery and patient and public safety.
- Explain any conflict(s) that may arise as a result of implementing (or not implementing) such a policy.
- Explain any ethical issues that may arise as a result of implementing (or not implementing) such a policy.
- Explain the conclusion/position that you would provide to the CEO regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare professionals.
- Be sure to include who you would use as a source to make your recommendation.
Support your response by identifying and explaining key points and/or examples presented in the Learning Resources.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. Consider how your colleagues’ postings relate to the information presented in the Learning Resources and to your own posting.
Refer to the Week 1 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.
By Friday
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Share an insight that you gained from having read your colleague’s initial post.
- Share advice that you would provide to the CEO in your colleague’s scenario regarding techniques used to increase voluntary immunization among their patient care staff. How can they help to ease tension between a healthcare professional’s personal autonomy and public safety?
Continue engaging in the Discussion through Sunday.
SOLUTION HLTH 8301 Week 1 Discussion: COVID-19—The Debate Over Mandatory Vaccinations and Masking
Hello Class,
Advising the CEO on Optimal COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Healthcare Professionals
Implications of Implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare professionals directly impacts healthcare delivery, patient safety, and public health outcomes. A vaccinated workforce reduces the risk of virus transmission, protecting vulnerable patients such as those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or managing chronic conditions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). It also ensures continuity of care by minimizing absenteeism caused by illness among staff, which can otherwise disrupt operations and place additional strain on already overburdened teams (Moghadas et al., 2021)….
Kindly click the purchase icon below to buy the full solution at $5
(FINAL ANSWER) HLTH 8301 Week 2 Discussion: Conflict Between Ethics and Financial Incentives