Flu Vaccine, enough already!

Nurses COVID

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Yes, we are in flu season. And it seems you can't go anywhere without being bombarded/enticed to get the flu vaccine. A lot of times scare tactics are used also. They tried making it mandatory for nurses last season but that failed, thank goodness. Then a friend went to a job interview, and a condition of employment was that she had to get the flu vaccine even though she did not want it.

Yet recently, a healthcare employer (I have declined to identify) went as far as to offer employees who get the flu vaccine (at work), entry into a raffle for a hot electronic gadget. I just think its too much. People already know about the flu vaccine and have made an educated decision about whether they want it or not. Flu vaccines have become extremely commercialized, which leads me to conclude that a financial windfall is being made somewhere. Just sayin...

Specializes in General Med/Surg.

I would never ever want to get the flu. I'm not keen on flu vaccines, for myself, either. I'm not a great patient, like most of us. Great at giving education to others though.

Last flu season (2011-12) I gave vaccines to patients at our free clinic. I refused to get one! Then, I moved to a new city and didn't know anyone at all. My PCP was 5 hours away. OMG I became majorly sick with ALL the flu sx. I drove around in my car in a total daze, trying to find a walk-in clinic, finally ended up back near my rental house and went to CVS and bought about 50.00 worth of every type of medication and fluids and saltine crackers ... and holed up in my house. I honestly thought that I was going to die. My family and friends were too far away to help me and I'd only been in this new town for a short time. No one to call.

It went away after a few days, but I was quite sick.

So, now it's flu season coming up again, and again I'm giving vaccines. And I will be getting one this year!

:yelclap:

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

My hospital makes it mandatory. Get it or you don't have a job. I understand it really. It's to protect the patients as well. Now .... Normally if I get the flu it's not a big deal but If I don't get the flu I can't spread it and that is a big deal. So you know what... They're making me get the flu shot. BFD. :)

"No day but today"

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
My hospital makes it mandatory. Get it or you don't have a job. I understand it really. It's to protect the patients as well. Now .... Normally if I get the flu it's not a big deal but If I don't get the flu I can't spread it and that is a big deal. So you know what... They're making me get the flu shot. BFD. :)

"No day but today"

Enlightening, my question leans towards "allergies" regarding this concept.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Enlightening, my question leans towards "allergies" regarding this concept.

The hospitals in my area make an exemption for those who are allergic to a component in the shot, however they also require that person to wear a mask when working during the main "flu months".

Allergic employees don't need to get the shot, and patients are still protected.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Enlightening, my question leans towards "allergies" regarding this concept.

If you are allergic you have to have it documented by an md and wear a mask allllll season.

"No day but today"

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

I totally agree with both of your post, however, I feel that this is almost a form of dictating like "do this" or else you'll be out of a job! ..just saying :cool:

P.S. I get my Flu/shot every year.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
I totally agree with both of your post, however, I feel that this is almost a form of dictating like "do this" or else you'll be out of a job! ..just saying :cool:

P.S. I get my Flu/shot every year.

I hear you. I'm not keen on the idea but it is what it is. I wish it wasn't mandatory an that those who could get it did get it simply because they want to decrease the risk of passing it on. As healthcare professionals we often do come to work sick and I'd hate to think I was the one who did someone in because I exposed them to the flu. I don't think that anything should be mandatory I think we should always have a choice. Being that we don't, I just go with it and focus on the good that it's done. :). I also got my shot every year before It was mandatory. :)

"No day but today"

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Amen & I'll leave it at that.... Aloha~

Such a good documentary on vaccines in general, and it includes both sides of the debate: The Vaccine War | FRONTLINE | PBS

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
Such a good documentary on vaccines in general, and it includes both sides of the debate: The Vaccine War | FRONTLINE | PBS

Thank you for sharing....Aloha~

They're requiring the flu vaccine for by BSN program. I am against the flu vaccine. For one thing, it's last years strain. Completely useless against this years, you will still get the flu unless you time travel. Secondly, I react badly to ANY shot I'm given. As I'm fever, chills, nausea, pain. Thirdly, I have never had the flu shot and subsequently never had the flu. I've had pneumonia and recurring bronchitis, but never the flu.

For one thing, it's last years strain. Completely useless against this years, you will still get the flu unless you time travel. Secondly, I react badly to ANY shot I'm given. As I'm fever, chills, nausea, pain. Thirdly, I have never had the flu shot and subsequently never had the flu.

Actually, only the H1N1 component of the flu vaccine is the same this year. The the H3N2 and B vaccine viruses are different for the 2012-13 season. Even if the strain does remain the same, it is recommended that you re-vaccinate each season d/t waning immunity. Side effects like 1 to 2 days of low-grade fever, pain, etc. are nothing compared to the flu (unfortunate that you get them though)! One last thought...you may never get the flu, but vaccinations aren't just about protecting you; it's about protecting you, your patients, and your community in general (i.e., herd immunity).

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