Albany ER nurses launch Swine Flu battle

     Albany Medical Center nurses Lorna Patterson of Selkirk and Kathryn DuPuis of Albany sat nervously in attorney Terry Kindlon's offices Monday facing a battery of reporters and cameras to talk about the swine flu vaccine.

     "I don't want this vaccine", is how Patterson summed up her reaction to the mandate from the New York State Health Department that all health care workers in the state get the H1N1 shot by November 30th or face job termination.  Both women represent a small group of Albany Med nurses who have asked attorney Kindlon to file legal documents in State Supreme court this week to block the mandated vaccinations.

     The legal action would have an impact on tens of thousands of health care workers around New York.

     Patterson and Du Puis both said they would be willing to wear masks and take standard medical precautions, including washing hands often, rather than subject themselves to a vaccine that the nurses say has not been sufficiently tested.

    They also said they would rather contract Swine Flu rather than take the H1N1 vaccination.

    The nurses were also concerned that the pharmaceutical companies involved in the vaccine have been granted immunity in the event of problems from the swine flu shots.

    A rally to protest the state mandated shots will take place Wednesday at one p.m. on the East Steps of the State Capitol in Albany.