Tsakoyias 1

Steven Tsakoyias
Mr. Burchett
Government 3
23 October 2015

Life to the less fortunate

There is never a convenient time for death. There are times where death simply happens
in a blink of an eye, but many times its a ticking time bomb looming over ones fate. The flu is a
huge problem in America, killing people from left to right. The disease is a dangerous,
unforgiving juggernaut that has the power to spread vastly and quickly throughout a population.
Killing people from all sorts of ages and classes, this disease has a special appetite for the weak.
The weak refers to the homeless population anywhere in the world, but in this case the
American homeless population. The Vaccine Act of 2015 should be passed because of the jaw
dropping numbers of deaths caused by the flu, the rapid rate at which the disease spreads and
because of how vulnerable the American homeless population is to the disease.
Death from a disease like the flu comes in large and unforgiving number. The disease has
a history of killing people over a vast population; no one can predict when the pandemic will
happen because a new type of flu can occur at anytime resulting in the need of vaccinations. For
example In King County alone, it is estimated that a severe pandemic flu could result in over
540,000 people ill, 270,000 needing outpatient medical care, over 59,000 requiring
hospitalization, and up to 11,500 could die (Barr). The number of 11,500 is an outrages number
of possible deaths from a disease, thus creating awareness of the huge risks at hand from
avoiding treatment of the flu. Death by flu is everywhere and more and more reports of people

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being killed by it make it in the media every day. Brian Maienschein in 2014 reported that This
year, 300 people under the age of 65 have died from the flu statewidenearly three times the
106 reported deaths last year. Earlier this month, my Assembly Bill 2069, which addresses the
continuing increase of deaths due to the flu, passed the Assembly with unanimous support
(Maienschein). Reports of people dying from a preventable disease are simply unacceptable,
and should be brought to the awareness of the public. Each and every flu is different, but the
undeniable fact is that no matter what, people will die from it. Key facts about seasonal flu
vaccines say that Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people
differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a
period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United
States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people (Key facts). An
astonishing range from anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 people died from the flu in a time period
of 31 season says that not much efforts have been made to stop the deaths by flu in America. The
facts of the matter are that the flu is an incredibly dangerous disease that can kill large quantities
of people and has no mercy at all when regarding ones life. In addition to this catastrophic
killing machine, the flu also has the power to spread quicker than a wild fire and especially
spawning from the unprotected and weak homeless.
The flu is a disease that spreads quickly and especially amongst the homeless population.
When one is aware they have the flu they are quickly try to avoid others for the simple reason
that the flu is a contagious disease. The better health channel has said that People with an
underlying medical condition or reduced immunity are most at risk and should be immunized.
They include: residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and people who are
homeless (Immunization). This makes perfect sense, the flu is a contagious disease that can

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spread and especially since homeless people wander cities all over the United States increasing
chances of the spread. There have been more reports regarding that the flu is a very contagious
illness and should be treated immediately such as ones from Pima County that state The flu is a
contagious illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the lungs, throat and nose. The flu
affects millions of people each year and can lead to serious illness, or even death (flu shots).
No one must ignore the fact that this disease spreads and that homeless people can affectively
spread this disease if they are not given some sort of protection against it such as a yearly
vaccination. This being said homeless shelters also allow for the spread of the flu due to their
small living conditions and the poor individual health maintained inside the shelters. The Boston
health care for the homeless has said that Homelessness remains a bewilderingly complex
public health challenge that has long thwarted simple solutions. Homelessness magnifies poor
health, exposes those in crowded shelters to communicable diseases, complicates management of
chronic illnesses, and uncovers deep fault lines in our health care system (OConnell). It only
makes sense that homeless shelters can spread diseases but by not entitling every homeless
individual the right to a free flu vaccination the chances of the flu spreading will keep getting
greater. New York Citys department of health reports that The death rate among those who
used the single adult shelter system was twice as high as that of the general NYC adult
population (The health of homeless). It is becoming more and more obvious that death is
more occurring in a shelter of homeless that is unprotected from the flu. Something needs to be
done about the ongoing spread of the flu amongst the homeless before a great flu pandemic takes
a hold of the entire American population. The chances of a pandemic occurring will only become
greater since entire populations of homeless people are most at risk.

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Homeless people are exposed to harsh living conditions increasing their vulnerability to
the flu. A person is more likely to get sick if they live under bad environmental conditions, which
is exactly what all homeless live under. A Guide to Reaching and Engaging Diverse
Communities regards to homeless people saying Their overcrowded living facilities and
exposure to extreme weather conditions lower their immunity, further predisposing them to flu
(Lazar). People who live under harsh conditions, such as homeless people, are only destined to
be hit by the flu. Even more can be said about the harsh conditions homeless people live under,
such as that from Emerging Infectious Diseases that state Homeless shelters are paradigmatic
congregate settings and thus likely sites for transmission of airborne pathogens such as influenza
viruses and tubercle bacilli, shown in part by numerous tuberculosis outbreaks among the
homeless (Bucher). The settings of homeless shelter are cold and extremely crowded, which is
an unsanitary condition to live under making it more clear that homeless are most at risk to
diseases such as the flu. Big cities, especially on the east coast of the United States such as New
York can add to the talk of the cruel conditions homeless people live under. New York City
Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene and Homeless Services says that Exposure deaths
occur as a result of prolonged exposure to excessive heat or cold; they are usually preventable,
and unsheltered homeless individuals are particularly at risk (The health of homeless).
Homeless people do not have the luxury of living in a warm and clean home, but instead live on
the streets increasing chances of sickness such as the flu. The concept of why homeless people
are more vulnerable to the flu is not rocket science. Most homeless live in densely populated
cities where germs and chances of getting sick are greater, increasing homeless peoples chances
to catching the flu. Despite the evidence there are still people who do not believe the Vaccine Act
of 2015 is worth passing.

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Some people argue that efforts are already being made to help homeless regarding the flu
and also that homeless people are not at a higher risk than the rest of society when it comes to
obtaining the flu. This can possibly be true since there are already programs in progress that will
help the homeless receive a free flu vaccination and that it is not necessary to distribute more
vaccinations. The other is that the flu can be obtained by anyone, vaccinated or not. However if
efforts are already being made to distribute flu vaccinations why would there be a statement
saying Although homeless individuals were not specifically designated to receive H1N1
vaccine during the early autumn vaccination efforts, several county health agencies recognized
and addressed this pressing public health need in their communities (Disease control). The
need of distributing vaccinations is still critical and needs to be pursued. Even more statements
are being released into the public such as . For the homeless population, seeking shelter is a
daily struggle, and unfortunately getting vaccinated is no different (Moser). A struggle to
receive flu vaccinations does not sound to convincing when an argument is being made that
efforts to resolve this problem are already ongoing. If homeless people are not at a higher risk
than others in obtaining the flu why does a report such as Last year, we vaccinated several
hundred homeless individuals, a group that is at very high risk of complications from influenza
(Brandt). The world homeless and high risk perfectly shows that yes in fact homeless are at
higher risk of the flu. Another report from Rhode Island said that Crossroads Rhode Island is
the largest provider of comprehensive services to the homeless and disconnected in Rhode
Island. After responding to the most urgent, immediate needs, Crossroads identifies underlying
issues and searches for long-term solutions for its clients (RIGOV). These urgent needs for
the homeless regarding health shows that homeless are still at greater risks of the flu than others.

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Despite others arguments there is plenty of evidence to support why their arguments are not
valid.
With countless deaths from the flu, unbearable quickness of the spread of the flu and
especially vulnerable people to the flu such as the homeless the Vaccine Act of 2015 is a crucial
bill that should become a law. If action is not taken against this issue, lives will continue to be
lost by a preventable disease. A future flu pandemic also looms over everyone if actions are not
done to help a smaller minority such as the homeless to achieve their protection from the flu. For
the safety of everyone in the United States of America this act must be passed.

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Works Cited
Book

Cooper, Edith Fn. Homeless: What Should Be Done to Meet the Needs of the Homeless in
the United Staes. Vol. 1. N.p.: Congressional Research Service, 1991. Print.
Web

Barr, Heather. "An Influenza Pandemic Planning Guide for Homeless and Housing

Service

Providers." King County. Toronto Public Health, 26 Dec. 2006. Web.

Maienschein, Brian. "From the Desk of Assemblymember Maienschein."ENewsletter.

CA

State Assembly, May 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

Key Facts about. "Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine." Maricopa County. Maricopa

County

Department of Public Health, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

Immunization. "Flu (influenza) - Immunization." Better Health Channel. State

Government

Victoria, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.

"Flu Shots." Pima County. Pima County, n.d. Web. 6 June 2013.
O'Connell, James J. "The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program: A Public Health
Framework." American Journal of Public Health. American Public Health

Aug. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2015.

Association, 3

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"The Health of Homeless Adults in New York City." New York City Departments of Health and
Mental Hygiene and Homeless Services(n.d.): n. pag. Nyc.gov. NYC

Health, Dec. 2005.

Web.
Lazar, Marsha. "Flu Vaccination for Everyone." A Guide to Reaching and Engaging Diverse
Communities (n.d.): n. pag. Mass.gov. Public Health Emergency

Response, Sept. 2011. Web.

Apr. 2012.
Bucher, Scott J. "Influenzalike Illness Among Homeless Persons." Emerging Infectious
Diseases. U.S National Sponsor of Medicine, 12 July 2006. Web.

"The Health of Homeless Adults in New York City." New York City Departments of Health and
Mental Hygiene and Homeless Services(n.d.): n. pag. Nyc.gov. NYC

Health, Dec. 2005.

Web.
"Disease Control." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 20 Mar. 2015. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.

Moser, Ashley. "Clinic for Homeless in Need of Flu Shots." ElevenNews. ElevenNEWS,

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Nov. 2011. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.

Brandt, Michelle. "The Flu Crew: Med Students Provide Vaccinations to
Center. University of Health Care Alliance, 24 Sept. 2012.

Community." News

Web. 24 Sept. 2015.