Nurses fired for refusing flu vaccine

Nurses COVID

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While I personally do not like the flu shot either.... I have been required to get a Hep B vaccine, MMR all current, etc etc .... so not sure how this is so different?

http://news.yahoo.com/nurses-fired-refusing-flu-shot-224637902--abc-news-health.html

I am sorry, didn't make my sarcasm clear. I was making a play on the nursing line " If it wasn't documented, it wasn't done." We can not say it didn't exist if we didn't test.

Outside of pandemic times we rarely culture for flu, rather treat the symptoms based on purely on a clinical diagnosis. So it does exist when we don't "test" it, doesn't it?

Hype can cause people to seek medical care, but can it cause both clinical symptoms and positive cultures? Likely not, or at least not in the numbers we are seeing.

While "Triton-X 100" sounds like a super villain that can change shape from a tank to a murderous robot, it's actually just a surfactant detergent with an attached PEG group, or in other words; soap and a laxative.

I totally agree that we need to be careful about what we put into our bodies, but there are far worse things that we commonly put into our bodies than TX100. First, TX100 is not an additive, it's used in the manufacturing process to help split viruses (by lowering the surface tension that holds them together). The amounts left in the final product are extremely small.

I'm not sure what you mean by "cellular" references as a virus is not a cell.

Just to clarify, are you suggesting flu vaccines cause the flu?

You are right about the virus not being a cell opposed to having to use a host cell to cause problems.I was wrong to place that word 'cell' where I did.I was mostly talking about questionable cellular harm that could be done to us by the added ingredients used for inactivation and viability of the vaccine.

No, I am not suggesting a flu virus that has been truly inactivated can give us the flu. It is just that I am not convinced that the WHO and CDC got the right strains this year.It is an educated guess on their part.There are different types of flu viruses depending on regions.So,to me, the vaccines given for any particular flu strains is a "one-size-fits-all" vaccine.My overall concerns are:Wrong strains, ALL of the ingredients in these vaccines that COULD have harmful impact on a person's system whether it be from reactions of these added ingredients with each other or alone. I do not know.I choose not to take that chance with flu vaccines given what I have read and how I have interpreted that data.It is not just one component of the vaccine that worries me but the whole picture.

There are so many articles out there that we can read about,as confirmed by our postings.There are also so many "takes" on this subject depending on our choice of articles we read (including alternative based readings) For me,this goes beyond just reading articles and taking them for face valu but also looking beyond the content.I will be the first to admit to have developed a cynical component to my mindset in this age of greed and uncertainity.It has caused me to become more curious for info I can get on the backgrounds of such articles.Also what may be lying behind this HUGE push for vaccination mandates this year and why so many more people are ill.

Also, as far as what we put into our bodies on a daily basis is important. I happen to prefer mostly an organic raw food diet.I realize there are some chemicals that get past my mouth(example,the have to have 2 peanut butter cups every month or so!) but I can try to control the amount of chemicals I injest on a daily basis.Our standard american diet most likely has more of a long term harmful effect on us than a flu vaccine. People are injesting these GMOs and chemicals on a daily basis,not yearly.

What it comes down to,for me, is that I really question the degree of legitimacy of this whole flu issue.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

No, I am not suggesting a flu virus that has been truly inactivated can give us the flu. It is just that I am not convinced that the WHO and CDC got the right strains this year.It is an educated guess on their part.There are different types of flu viruses depending on regions.So,to me, the vaccines given for any particular flu strains is a "one-size-fits-all" vaccine..

The epidemiological data thus far from the CDC shows that this year's vaccine is covering 91% of the confirmed (circulating) strains, which is pretty good.

Remember, vaccinations are outcome-based medicine, and outcome-based medicine recommendations are or the good of the public, not necessarily the individual.

If you choose to not be vaccinated, then it's your personal choice, and I respect it. I just don't know if all employers should respect your personal choice, especially when it may lead to decreased quality of care an poorer patient outcomes.

The epidemiological data thus far from the CDC shows that this year's vaccine is covering 91% of the confirmed (circulating) strains, which is pretty good.

Remember, vaccinations are outcome-based medicine, and outcome-based medicine recommendations are or the good of the public, not necessarily the individual.

If you choose to not be vaccinated, then it's your personal choice, and I respect it. I just don't know if all employers should respect your personal choice, especially when it may lead to decreased quality of care an poorer patient outcomes.

When I see a report TELLING me the vaccine is covering 91% of the confirmed strains,that indeed is very good.I agree. When we can actually SEE more and more vaccinated people getting sick,then bad.

CDC!?!! I will read what they have to say BUT just knowing where some high ranking members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Vaccination and Practice interests lie is enough for me to raise my eyebrows and question. It is no secret that the pharmaceutical and health products industry(one of the largest lobbies in Washington has the over reaching upper hand over dictating how "healthy" we will be or rather,in my opinion, NOT be.

As far as my employer goes,it was just fine with them that I refused up until THIS year.WHY? Why were some healthcare workers fired,some allowed to keep their jobs and simply wear a mask,some "laid off" for the season? After all,the flu and vaccines have been around for years.

Why did SOME hospitals and not others mandate the vaccine?

Why were visitors not asked whether they had the flu shot BEFORE visiting compromised patients?

Why the huge discrepencies over how hospitals treated their healthcare workers over this flu hype?

If this flu is so virulent and is causing this "pandemic" this year,why aren't ALL healthcare facilities treating healthcare workers the SAME along with allowing visitation rights to only those visitors who have HAD the vaccine?

Why are the pharmaceutical companies EXEMPT from lawsuits regarding injuries from vaccines? They have people believing these vaccines are safe and effective,why a need to be exempt?

Why would SOME employers "respect" my choice and others not.Would that then mean those who respected my choice think it is ok for decreased quality of care and poorer patient outcomes?

Shouldn't the healthcare industry be on the same page so to speak,especially during a pandemic?

Again, it is the WHOLE picture of this issue that convinces ME to stay clear of the vaccine.

I do not take the flu shot..I am opposed to putting foriegn anything into my body that isn't completly necessary.I am 48 years old & have been in the medical field for 30 years (CNA, LPN, RN)...I have an awesome immune system & (as I am knocking on wood), I rarely ever get sick. I think I have called in maybe 2 times in the past 5 years. Many of my younger colleages have had terrible flu symptoms this year (even with getting the flu vaccine). I believe since I have been exposed to so much crud over the years & this has boosted my immune system. I also am very vigilant with hand washing (soap & water for me, no alcohol gel). I also believe that God protects us who care for others. I strongly believe that taking the flu shot should be a choice and not mandated by anyone! Stay well everyone through this flu season:)

EXACTLY!

Yes I get that my employer doesn't care about me and my health. I care about what goes into my body. Has anyone on here ever looked at the ingredients in the flu shot? Most contain mercury, which is not something I am thrilled about putting in my body. Some contain other forms of preservatives as well.

I agree with you.You are so on the mark to care about what goes in your body because noone else cares and heaven forbid,some harmful reaction befall you you will basically be on your own.Remember,can't sue the pharmaceutical companies anymore and others will just say it had to be something else. I think the actual inactivated dead virus is the least of our worries.I personally question the environment these vaccines are made in(the meningitis outbreak from contaminated steroid medication comes to mind)plus,it is not just one particular chemical in these vaccines.They are numerous and how do they react singularly in the body and how do they react to each other in the body? Does anybody REALLY know? And please don't just quote the CDC-too much Pharma influence there.

Like laidbacl al has posted we all need to educate ourselves and not just take what certain publications publish as the facts. The CDC is biased toward influenza vaccinations for example. If you do not believe that ..i urge you to research. Now the CDC is not participating in any conspiratorial theory's lol I dont mean that, but they do have a tendency to present statistics greatly in favor of influenza vaccination efficiency. Look into that.

The influenza vaccination effectiveness depends basically on 2 factors: These being:

1-if it is a good match with the virus's that are causing influenza infections this year

2-how well the persons immunity system reacts with the vaccine ( more than a small percentage of people do not react favorably with it).

Now if your immune system did not react to the vaccine in the way it is "suppose" too then you will not be protected. You have no way of knowing if the vaccination "took" or not. This means that yes you still can get influenza even though you received the flu shot.

I know as nurses we personalty know people that this has happened too.

Does this make the flu shot bad? No! It just means that we need to be aware of the limitations of influenza vaccinations and act appropriately.

As far as hospitals making the flu shot mandatory--why do you think this is all of a sudden mandatory? The flu shot has been available for a more than a decade. What changed? Why, all of a sudden hospitals decided to do this? If you think it is for patient protection--does that mean that during all those previous years the hospitals were not interested in patient protection?

Really think about this Nurses--dont just react to it.

Agree on all statements.I have asked myself this question(your last paragraph) and I feel I have come to the right conclusion.Refused shot.

Hey, do I know you,I think we are in the same school of thought.

Specializes in emergency, psy, case management.

MeggieA--I dont know if I know you? Great minds think alike? lol:)

I live in Ga.

I am glad you see the points I was trying to make in my post. If Nursing is to be accepted by other "professions" as a true profession ( sadly many times it is not) we need to practice critical thinking and question the things that are occurring around us.

This mandated flu vaccination is one. Could you imagine what would happen if no nurse in the united states would accept a mandated flu vaccination? I do wish we had a stronger national voice.

MeggieA--I dont know if I know you? Great minds think alike? lol:)

I live in Ga.

I am glad you see the points I was trying to make in my post. If Nursing is to be accepted by other "professions" as a true profession ( sadly many times it is not) we need to practice critical thinking and question the things that are occurring around us.

This mandated flu vaccination is one. Could you imagine what would happen if no nurse in the united states would accept a mandated flu vaccination? I do wish we had a stronger national voice.

Your last sentence! and as a non joiner/loner, I feel some responsibility for this not happening. perhaps in retirement I can get into this....

MeggieA--I dont know if I know you? Great minds think alike? lol:)

I live in Ga.

I am glad you see the points I was trying to make in my post. If Nursing is to be accepted by other "professions" as a true profession ( sadly many times it is not) we need to practice critical thinking and question the things that are occurring around us.

This mandated flu vaccination is one. Could you imagine what would happen if no nurse in the united states would accept a mandated flu vaccination? I do wish we had a stronger national voice.

No,we don't know each other,just a play on words,where our thoughts on this subject closely align,I was sure we attended the same school of thought!

Nurses are their own worst enemies for not banning together and fighting for their rights.Could you also imagine if even half of all nurses banned together and stood their ground how much that would turn the tables. Take care.

PalmHarbourMom - the thing is, I am not set in my views. Show me arguments enough to erase reasonable doubt and I will change my view. My goal is directed toward patient health. And I certainly have reason for reasonable doubt regarding vaccines. It seems every day I am reading about major problems affecting lots of people related to vaccine side effects. Telling me that evidence is not there is not opening your eyes.

Just so you know,and maybe it doesn't matter, but I am in total agreement with you here. Take care.

i am sorry for your situation Jenni--but I want to give you kudos for your stand and your actions.

THIS WILL BE AN INTERESTING CASE!!

I retired instead of continuing--so I really cant do what you have done, but I agree hospitals are standing on shaky legal ground.

The hospital I retired from has started to even cancel surgeries on the Dr's ( independent contractors) that have not had the flu shot! Dr's are starting to get angry. Perhaps that will be the catalyst that is needed for logical minds to prevail.

Please keep us informed of your situation and I will be willing to sign a petition etc if needed? Anything I can do to help.

I realized you addressed your response to Jennie and can only surmite tht she too have a case over something.I am glad to hear that.Also,I pray and hope everyday for some catalyst that will take hold and not let go until we do prevail.Take care.

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