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 Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

We had to have the 2011-2012 influenza vaccination by mid-October or we would be restricted from clinicals for the rest of this semester and all of next semester (exceptions allowed only for those with valid *medical* reasons, such as allergies).

When you work in radiology, you are required to wear the lead apron to protect your torso from radiation -- if you didn't wear the apron, the facility could be liable if you got cancer r/t radiation exposure. If you don't want to wear the apron, you just don't work in their facility. How is a flu shot any different in that regard? If you don't want to get the shot, you just don't work in that facility....

Personally, I'd just like to let my immune system do what it was meant to do: fight disease. Immunization is great for constant contagions like polio, diphtheria, etc, or for those who are pathologically susceptible; but for an ever-evolving virus such as flu please just let my otherwise healthy and normal immune system handle it naturally. On the off chance I die you can laugh at me then. Until that happens, keep your commercialized nonsense to yourself and stop making me choose between my job and an unnecessary shot.

While that is great that you have a fantastic immune system, if you are working in health care you are frequently interacting with people who do not. Young children, elderly, immuno-compromised...even just being sick and worn down makes you more susceptible. It isn't just all about you...it is about the others your flu can kill.

Specializes in ICU.

As someone who has been flat on their back for 5 days with the flu, I always get my flu shot. I went to nursing school in the 80's and we didn't have to get the flu shot then, but I got the flu instead and missed mid-terms because of it. I also grew up with cousins who contracted polio, with the resulting deficits, and remember the scars of smallpox. When I was a child we rec'd the vaccines for polio and smallpox in the shool "line-up" too, and we were thrilled to get it. One of my cousins contracted polio very shortly before the vaccines were given to us, and was crippled.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Step-Down.
People already know about the flu vaccine and have made an educated decision about whether they want it or not.

I don't agree that employers should mandate people to get the flu vaccine, but stating that people have already made an educated decision about it is just not true. Some people who have commented naively seem to think the flu shot can cause the flu. The flu shot is an inactive virus and cannot cause the flu. It can cause a mild reaction as your immune system responds to it (sniffles, cold, etc.) but not the full-blown flu. The only "active" flu virus you can get from an immunization is if you get the intranasal flu spray, which most people do not get. Just because you feel you are educated on the topic doesn't mean that you should assume everyone else is. I work with a (generally) under-educated and often homeless patient population, many of whom have not received appropriate education on vaccines, among other things. I don't have a problem with an employer encouraging the vaccines because anyone who works in a hospital could potentially carry the virus and spread it to their vulnerable patients. I work with a pediatric cardiology population and spreading the flu to my patients could kill them. Even though I am young and have a very strong immune system, I choose to get the flu shot to protect my patients more than myself.

Never get the flu, and I never get a flu shot.

My body, my choice, period.

I will gladly lose my job and nursing license before I ever tell someone what they can and can't do to my body.

In fact, I'd probably sign up for law school and then sue the bastards. ;)

Specializes in School Nursing.
Never get the flu, and I never get a flu shot.

My body, my choice, period.

I will gladly lose my job and nursing license before I ever tell someone what they can and can't do to my body.

In fact, I'd probably sign up for law school and then sue the bastards. ;)

I'm sure all of your patients appreciate your putting their health at risk because of your refusal to comply with vaccinations. But you're right, it's your body. I'm sure at some point in the future, you're going to lose a job or two refusing to accept vaccines. It's good you have options.

I'm sure all of your patients appreciate your putting their health at risk because of your refusal to comply with vaccinations. But you're right, it's your body. I'm sure at some point in the future, you're going to lose a job or two refusing to accept vaccines. It's good you have options.

I agree, law school is not a bad choice {stirring pot} but the job market for new JDs is about what it is for new nurses. Yep, it's all about individual rights, not at all about those pesky sick patients!

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

What frustrates me is WHEN to get the damned thing. They start offering the flu shot in September around here but the shot itself only gives immunity for a certain period of time. So, get it in early October but the flu season in your area doesn't hit hard until late March? you're SOL despite your best intentions.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
First of all an American includes the Canda, Mexico, and all of the central and south AMERICAN nations ;) So I think you mean as a citizen of the USA. Second of all...God given? I think not....you get your rights from the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

That said you are correct. As a citizen you have the right to refuse. as a healthcare worker you have the right to get the shot or wear a mask all shift every shift. Also, you have the right to change careers.

"We hold these truths to be ........ that all men are endowed by their CREATOR, with certain inalienable rights..." When one says one is an American it is assumed the person lives in the USA.

Roll up your sleeve and get the vaccine.

excellent, excellent article. i have never gotten flu shots in all my life (i'm into my seventh decade, egad) and am with the folks that believe your immune system is there for a good reason... and this article also offers some startling stats to show that flu vaccine does not improve excess mortality from flu, discusses why the flu vaccine you get this month may or may not be worth spit for the actual flu that comes into your nose, and other good information from real, reputable scientists. the vaccine makers don't much care for the conclusions, but of course, this is huge business. heartily recommended for multiple reprints.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/11/does-the-vaccine-matter/7723/

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
When one says one is an American it is assumed the person lives in the USA.

Thank you! I'm so tired of people splitting PC hairs over the use of the term "American." It's really ridiculous.

The day a Mexican, Brazilian, Canadian, Chilean refers to themselves as an "American" is the day I will find another word to refer to my own nationality.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Thank you! I'm so tired of people splitting PC hairs over the use of the term "American." It's really ridiculous.

The day a Mexican, Brazilian, Canadian, Chilean refers to themselves as an "American" is the day I will find another word to refer to my own nationality.

Oh, feh. My husband is Canadian by birth but has lived in the US for the last eight years (legally - with a green card), thanks to me. He refers to himself as both Canadian and American and occasionally, Canadian-American.

So, please, feel free to refer to yourself as something else. I wouldn't mind.

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