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

Specializes in ED, Long-term care, MDS, doctor's office.

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:)

Specializes in Intermediate care.

i understand "Patient Safety" vs. "Nurses's rights" but lets face it...the fact we live in a FREE country that allows us to make our OWN healthcare decisions. That means "Nurses rights" trump because it is THE LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a young, healthy nurse. i never recieved flu vaccine, i never want to. It is my personal beliefs/values. I refuse to put unnatural things in my body (Have you seen the list of ingredients?). I signed up to take care of patients whent hey are sick. I did not sign over my body to the rights of my employer.

Just because im a nurse does NOT mean i should have those rights taken away from me. Did i get my flu shot this year? Yes...because i need to keep my job and hospital sad they would "suspend" anyone until they got their flu vaccine. The second it becomes mandatory, because there is rumor that it is. i am GONE!!!! I refuse to give up my rights as a human just because im a nurse. Absolutley not happening.

Specializes in Intermediate care.

And might i add...i've NEVER received the flu vaccine up until this year and i've NEVER had the flu. The people who are getting sick are the ones who have had the flu vaccine. I am a young, healthy 24 year old and have been sick maybe once in the past 2 years i've been hired as a nurse.

I want to thrash about also!Here is my take on my situation and beliefs. Why the flu vaccine push all of a sudden?I asked myself that last year when my employer(hospital)wanted 100% compliancy but not mandated.Could it be money driven,are we(too some degree)test subjects?I believe the push is due to unethical reasoning and NOT patient safety. Well, the hospital did not get their 100% so this year came the mandate or be terminated idea.Interesting thing is the hospital never published the compliancy report this year-

hmmmm.

I need my job as much as much as most people but will NEVER compromise my moral and ethical beliefs or self preservation for a forced invasive medical procedure NOT proven to be effective or safe-remember,Bush passed the law exempting pharmaceuticals from being sued if injury or death ocurred as a result of the flu vaccine.

Also,only if interested,look up EACH ingredient in the 3 strains of viruses used for vaccines this year-see what each ingredient is used for and what it can do to the DNA of cells-Triton X-100 really caught my attention.Also, please look up the names of EACH board member of the CDC, the WHO,and the FHA and read about which entities they have represented in the past and present.

Now,the biggy,look up(again only if interested) and find the randomized trial studies done or started on these vaccines and I mean the research done by INDEPENDENT scientist,biologists and doctors,NOT those being funded by Big Pharma.The Cochrain Collaboration could be a good start.

I refused the shot.Then and only then did I find out how unethical a hospital can be.I was not terminated but given a "medical leave"!!! I AM NOT SICK!! Signed NO medical leave papers!!!!So, I deemed myself laid off and filed for unemployment and got it.Hospital totally ticked off at this and now fighting unemployment.Hospital would hate to have that get out that a nurse qualified for unemployment.That might mean more people would refuse if they could have a winter off and collect.Can't have that now, can we?

I am the first case in the state to file for unemployment due to a refusal of a mandated vaccine. In the words of the intake person,I was a "tricky" case and noone is really sure how to handle this issue especially since the state I work in has NOT mandated the vaccine shots.I am enjoying watching the unemployment bureau and hospital hash this over and will definitely appeal if needed.

I feel we employees affected by a refusal are at an advantage to ban together for a large scale fight.We have a great advantage due to the fact the mandate is new,hospitals are NOT consistent in how they are carrying out the mandate (some nurses fired,some nurses and doctors kept jobs,some nurses allowed to wear masks,others not allowed,some nurses given(i.e. laid off)the flu season off,some not,visitors not monitored as to whether they have had the flu shots,patients allowed to still go outside in the general public to smoke)There is a certain word for inconsistent practices, such as these, against employees.

I also find it so very interesting this year,with the mandates,we NOW have a pandemic in the majority of states or so the media wants me to believe.Gee, why? Could it be the chemicals in the vaccine are screwing up the immunity system and making SO MANY sick? Could it be the vaccine is not comprised of the right strains this year.I have been a nurse for 32 years,have never had a flu,do not believe in them for me.I am a firm believer in obtaining NATURAL flu immunity(go ahead,cough in my face,my immunity system will be much stronger for it) I believe in NOT skipping two of the natural immunity proccesses that occur within the body(these very important steps are bypassed when getting a shot).

All different ways available to get "educated". What sources we each choose to believe in is a right we all have. So everyone's choice is the right one,no one is wrong in believing what they believe.Some peoples thoughts will align with others and some will not.Take care all and good health to you no matter if you take the shot or not.

Specializes in emergency, psy, case management.

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 want to thrash about also!Here is my take on my situation and beliefs. Why the flu vaccine push all of a sudden?I asked myself that last year when my employer(hospital)wanted 100% compliancy but not mandated.Could it be money driven,are we(too some degree)test subjects?I believe the push is due to unethical reasoning and NOT patient safety. Well, the hospital did not get their 100% so this year came the mandate or be terminated idea.Interesting thing is the hospital never published the compliancy report this year-

hmmmm.

I need my job as much as much as most people but will NEVER compromise my moral and ethical beliefs or self preservation for a forced invasive medical procedure NOT proven to be effective or safe-remember,Bush passed the law exempting pharmaceuticals from being sued if injury or death ocurred as a result of the flu vaccine.

Also,only if interested,look up EACH ingredient in the 3 strains of viruses used for vaccines this year-see what each ingredient is used for and what it can do to the DNA of cells-Triton X-100 really caught my attention.Also, please look up the names of EACH board member of the CDC, the WHO,and the FHA and read about which entities they have represented in the past and present.

Now,the biggy,look up(again only if interested) and find the randomized trial studies done or started on these vaccines and I mean the research done by INDEPENDENT scientist,biologists and doctors,NOT those being funded by Big Pharma.The Cochrain Collaboration could be a good start.

I refused the shot.Then and only then did I find out how unethical a hospital can be.I was not terminated but given a "medical leave"!!! I AM NOT SICK!! Signed NO medical leave papers!!!!So, I deemed myself laid off and filed for unemployment and got it.Hospital totally ticked off at this and now fighting unemployment.Hospital would hate to have that get out that a nurse qualified for unemployment.That might mean more people would refuse if they could have a winter off and collect.Can't have that now, can we?

I am the first case in the state to file for unemployment due to a refusal of a mandated vaccine. In the words of the intake person,I was a "tricky" case and noone is really sure how to handle this issue especially since the state I work in has NOT mandated the vaccine shots.I am enjoying watching the unemployment bureau and hospital hash this over and will definitely appeal if needed.

I feel we employees affected by a refusal are at an advantage to ban together for a large scale fight.We have a great advantage due to the fact the mandate is new,hospitals are NOT consistent in how they are carrying out the mandate (some nurses fired,some nurses and doctors kept jobs,some nurses allowed to wear masks,others not allowed,some nurses given(i.e. laid off)the flu season off,some not,visitors not monitored as to whether they have had the flu shots,patients allowed to still go outside in the general public to smoke)There is a certain word for inconsistent practices, such as these, against employees.

I also find it so very interesting this year,with the mandates,we NOW have a pandemic in the majority of states or so the media wants me to believe.Gee, why? Could it be the chemicals in the vaccine are screwing up the immunity system and making SO MANY sick? Could it be the vaccine is not comprised of the right strains this year.I have been a nurse for 32 years,have never had a flu,do not believe in them for me.I am a firm believer in obtaining NATURAL flu immunity(go ahead,cough in my face,my immunity system will be much stronger for it) I believe in NOT skipping two of the natural immunity proccesses that occur within the body(these very important steps are bypassed when getting a shot).

All different ways available to get "educated". What sources we each choose to believe in is a right we all have. So everyone's choice is the right one,no one is wrong in believing what they believe.Some peoples thoughts will align with others and some will not.Take care all and good health to you no matter if you take the shot or not.

Amen and amen!

I too have wondered about the sudden "pandemic". Seems like a very interesting correlation with the mandates about....

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Amen and amen!

I too have wondered about the sudden "pandemic". Seems like a very interesting correlation with the mandates about....

Here in Boston, there were 70 confirmed cases of the flu in the 2011-2012 season. So far in the 2012-2013 season there have been over 700 confirmed cases prompting a deceleration of a public health emergancy. At least here, there is no arguing with this being a pandemic concern.

I seem to remember that some places stopped testing last year. So perhaps we are comparing apples to oranges? Also, don't think the poster previous to you was questioning that there were many cases of the flu, just the "why".

Here in Boston, there were 70 confirmed cases of the flu in the 2011-2012 season. So far in the 2012-2013 season there have been over 700 confirmed cases prompting a deceleration of a public health emergancy. At least here, there is no arguing with this being a pandemic concern.

BostonFNP - I am in no way disagreeing with you but when I read statistics like that, I wonder as to how valid they are.

It is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong) but they only way fly can be conclusively confirmed is via a culture. When my son had 'the flu' a couple of years ago, he was 'diagnosed' at the college clinic and told to rest, fluids, etc. (He was fine after a week or so.) Anyway, they *did not* do a throat swab/culture.

I'm thinking that maybe now - with all the concern about pandemics, etc. - maybe doctors are simply doing more cultures and getting their diagnosis 'confirmed'. In other words, maybe the same number of people are getting sick but the number of cultures (and 'confirmed diagnoses') has increased.

(I've taken way too many statistics courses and am convinced you can make statistics say almost anything if you want to. Look at advertising.)

... am convinced you can make statistics say almost anything if you want to. Look at advertising.) quote

yup, 50% improvement sounds good, till you realize it was 50% of 0.05 to begin with....

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
BostonFNP - I am in no way disagreeing with you but when I read statistics like that, I wonder as to how valid they are.

It is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong) but they only way fly can be conclusively confirmed is via a culture. When my son had 'the flu' a couple of years ago, he was 'diagnosed' at the college clinic and told to rest, fluids, etc. (He was fine after a week or so.) Anyway, they *did not* do a throat swab/culture.

I'm thinking that maybe now - with all the concern about pandemics, etc. - maybe doctors are simply doing more cultures and getting their diagnosis 'confirmed'. In other words, maybe the same number of people are getting sick but the number of cultures (and 'confirmed diagnoses') has increased.

(I've taken way too many statistics courses and am convinced you can make statistics say almost anything if you want to. Look at advertising.)

We are talking confirmed cases via OP swab and culture+. Over screening can decrease PPV of a test but not 10 fold.

We are talking UNDER, not over testing...

We are talking confirmed cases via OP swab and culture+. Over screening can decrease PPV of a test but not 10 fold.
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