Reference no: EM133998623
Problem
Each fall, the Morris County Health Department offers flu shots to senior citizens and others who are considered to be at high risk. A yearly campaign is initiated to inoculate as many people as possible. A new strain of virus was expected to be of epidemic proportion, which worried Dr. Nelson, the medical director. He was further concerned about information from the CDC explaining how dangerously ill elder populations could become if infected.
Mike was called to Dr. Nelson's office to discuss a health education campaign that would motivate senior citizens to receive this immunization. The medical director was committed to having as many people as possible inoculated, especially those most at risk. Mike was given instructions to design a media campaign plus educational programs for senior centers, church congregations, senior residential complexes, and other locations where older adults might be found. The medical director would take care of the medical institutions and nursing homes.
Mike felt this was a big order to accomplish in a short period of time. Luckily, Dawn had been given this responsibility in the past and had a file on previously conducted campaigns. As Mike began planning the campaign, he realized he needed to ask Dr. Nelson for more medical information to include in the media and educational programs. Dr. Nelson obliged and gave Mike the information he requested. All the information Mike needed was included except what individuals could expect regarding possible reactions. After all, people would want to know if there was a possibility of a reaction and how serious it would be. Get the instant assignment help.
Mike called Dr. Nelson about the reactions to the immunization and what he should include in the media and educational programs. Dr. Nelson seemed evasive and did not sufficiently answer Mike's question. When Mike asked a second time, the doctor began to explain to Mike how important it was to have as many elders as possible inoculated. He said, "There were no serious reactions worth mentioning, let alone life-threatening ones." He further stated that it was his experience that if you mention possible reactions, you reduce the number who would normally be inoculated by 35%.
After he hung up, Mike felt uneasy.
Write down the answers to the following:
A. Explain why Mike felt uneasy.
B. What should Mike's next steps be? What would you do next if you were Mike?
C. Which Section WITHIN Article IV from the Health Education Code of Ethics* best addresses this ethical issue? Explain your answer.