Nurses fired for refusing flu vaccine

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2013

It's not...but we can now count on a thousand-post thread on vaccinations. Let the thrashing begin ... I'll go first. Read it and weep.

10/20/12 Shannon Brownlee and Jeanne Lenzer ‑ Does the Vaccine Matter? ‑ http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2009/11/does‑the‑vaccine‑matter/307723/

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2013

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 wonder why they denied her religious exemption.

My hospital has mandatory flu shots for all staff and volunteers. Anyone filing for exemption has to wear a mask to work during flu season. Anyone that does not get the shot and does not get the exemption can be fired.

I am not a fan of mandatory flu shots. I am a healthy 25 year old female and I have no risk factors like diabetes or other chronic illnesses that would make a bout with the flu problematic. Plus exposing myself to all the preservatives in the flu shot year after year isn't great. Nevertheless I get my flu shot cause I want a job.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 3, 2013

Especially when you are exposed to the sick, and they in their fragile state are exposed to you. Intellectually you understand that it matters not that you are healthy as a horse - the flu virus really doesn't give a damn. I am not for forcing anyone to receive medical care, but the job requires you do not participate in epidemics.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 3, 2013

I am a healthy 25 year old female and I have no risk factors like diabetes or other chronic illnesses that would make a bout with the flu problematic. Plus exposing myself to all the preservatives in the flu shot year after year isn't great.

Christine,

I'm so glad you do go ahead and get the vaccine. Here's the thing about it though, It's not about you!! Your employer (if they are typical) really isn't very concerned about your health other than how it affects their clients. Flu isn't likely to make you very sick, but it will devastate a frail immunocompromised patient.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

Christine,
I'm so glad you do go ahead and get the vaccine. Here's the thing about it though, It's not about you!! Your employer (if they are typical) really isn't very concerned about your health other than how it affects their clients. Flu isn't likely to make you very sick, but it will devastate a frail immunocompromised patient.

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.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 4, 2013

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.

Yes, I have reviewed them. One of the unfortunate downsides to nursing is that we are exposed to many detrimental things such as radiation, toxins (chemo), pathological bacteria/viruses, orthopedic injury, violence from patients, family members and I could go on. Overall, I enjoy hospital nursing and am willing to take the "lumps" that go along with it.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

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 find that this type of statement/opinion usually is made by an individual who either has had no personal experience with the devastating effect that influenza can have on an immuno-compromised individual or family unit, or by an individual whose education has not included a thorough understanding of historic pandemics.

Failure to understand and build upon historic events op usually leads to history repeating itself.

Let the bombs fall........

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

"I wonder why they denied her religious exemption. "

Keep in mind that as many religious objections were granted as were denied. All claims were investigated and not all were considered to be valid. Only the denied claims are publicized.

mappers · Jan 4, 2013

Your employer also doesn't want you to miss work. That's why non-healthcare employers often offer their employees the flu shot. Before I was a nurse, if my employer offered it, I got it. If they didn't, I didn't. The last place I worked before nursing charged us $15.00 for it. I declined. If they didn't want me to miss work, they could pay for the flu shot. Towards the end, I did get the flu and I have never been so sick. Ended up with Pneumonia. Missed work and did not contaminate my co-workers. (I had already resigned and it was my last week there.)

Since being in nursing, I've always gotten the shot. DH was diagnosed with Influenza A before Christmas. Started Tamiflu. I wiped down everything with clorox wipes, got new toothbrushes, and my DDs and I did not get it. I did get a cold though...weird. Since I sleep in the same bed with him, I figured my risk was greater than the girls. I think the shot worked.

SharonH, RN · Jan 4, 2013

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

From the article:

There seems to be a persistent myth that you can get flu from a flu vaccine among nurses," he said. "They subject themselves to more influenza by not being immunized, and they certainly do not participate in putting patient safety first.

Personally I don't usually get the flu shot because I question its value for young, healthy people. Most years I don't take it, but one year I did and became ill within a couple of weeks. While I know I didn't get sick from the vaccine, what good did it do? I've never had the flu and were I to ever get sick, I have no problem staying home and not exposing others. I have a real problem with this guy claiming that nurses do not put patient safety first.

Laidback Al · Jan 4, 2013

Plus exposing myself to all the preservatives in the flu shot year after year isn't great. . . Most contain mercury, which is not something I am thrilled about putting in my body.

Instead parroting hearsay about preservative, adjuvants, etc. in influenza vaccines, I urge everyone to educate themselves to make informed decisions. Here are links to the package inserts for all of the approved vaccines for the 2012-2013 season.

Package Insert - AFLURIA (PDF - 230KB)

Package Insert - Agriflu (PDF - 117KB)

Package Insert - FluLaval (PDF - 149KB)

Package Insert - Fluvirin (PDF - 235KB)

Package Insert - FluMist (PDF - 536KB)