Should the H1N1 Vaccine be mandatory for Healthcare Professionals?

[Brian]

This is a hot topic, so I thought I'd ask all your opinion of allnurses.com community. According a survey linked below, 87% of the public think we should? What do you as a healthcare provider think? Please take a second and answer the poll, and make a comment if you wish. Thanks

Here are some related Discussions and Links:

• "Mandatory Flu Shots Hit Resistance" (currently over 105 comments)
  
• Survey: 87% favor mandatory health worker H1N1 shots ) (public opinion)
  
  
• Pandemic Flu Forum
  

[RouxbiRN]

Well, if you have ever experienced the 'season flu' you would want to get those shots. H1N1 is another strain mutation. Due to the number that have died already, and your being a diabetic, it would be advisable. Don't be swayed by negativity, just protect yourself. Consider going to the CDC site for more information. hope this helps

[crossds]

Mandatory? Probably not. But as health care workers we should be offered it first, before widespread public vaccine clinics.....because if the health care workers are all sick, who is going to take care of all the patients????/

[MsPC]

I would quit first. The military even allows me to refuse my flu shot. The only time I have ever gotten flu like symptoms was when I had a flu shot.

[trmr]

i like to believe I still live in a free country and if I chose not to take the shot, that is my RIGHT

[DeniseTN]

No one should be forced to be vaccinated. The director of my nursing program attempted to strong-arm us into getting the H1N1 vaccine last week. She claimed that the hospitals that we'd be using for clinicals were REQUIRING the vaccine. I took it upon myself to call the facilities and was informed that they were merely recommending the vaccine. Employees/nursing students could simply sign a declination form. I confronted her with this information and she simply said "Tough. You're getting it anyway." I went right over her head to the director of the school and he told us the same thing as the hospitals...sign a declination form.

I don't object to vaccines, but I don't want to inject something that is so new. I'd prefer to practice standard precautions and wear a mask if needed. I do, however, object to be forced to do something like this.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Nursing schools set the tone for professional responsibility in regard to communicable diseases' attenuation, upon students' entrance to it. They weed out anyone with an attitude that: A. projects singularity and B. lacks responsibility for others. That's why you must have up to date immunization to be accepted, or give a valid reason for refusing same. Keeping current with the threshold vaccinations and accepting new ones, as well as having testing that may be periodic (such as for Tb) is a manefestation of being professional.

There has to be acceptance and respect for others with more medical/nursing education, who know more than you do. Humility is a very important asset for anyone practising in a health care setting. Patience is required when resisting new programs, and determination for getting your opinion stated appropriately, to those who have authority for the proposed program. All those attributes serve nurses well, and further the good regard that those with whom they work as a team, need to have for them.

Sometimes knee jerk responses just aren't appropriate for professionals.

Yeppers!

I am so disappointed in my NS on this subject. One would have thought that this would have been a great, relevant teaching opportunity. Instead instructors say nothing while students spout utter nonsense, IN CLASS, about adjuvants being in the vaccine, the vaccine only lasting 3 months, "it is injecting poison into my arm", "I'm not getting it", "it hasn't been tested"...it is shocking.

Like others in NS, I find people asking me about this ALL the time. So I went to great pains to inform myself and be able to point them to reliable information. I even go so far as to listen to the CDC webinars. I am a 1st semester student but still think I need to act like I am responsible -- not just for what I do but WHAT I SAY.

Sorry I felt an overwhelming urge to vent.

[angelausp]

I haven't received the seasonal vaccine or the h1n1 vaccine this year and it is a personal choice of mine. I do take precautions prevent the flu including frequent hand washing, sneezing in a Kleenex, etc. There are many alternative ways to prevent the flu, and if someone chooses not to follow one preventive measure, they should not have to risk losing their job for it, IMO.

[AtomicWoman]

I will get the vaccine once it is available in this area. Of course, I want to protect myself against the virus. But I also think about how I would feel if I were the parents of one of the babies in the L&D/post-partum/nursery unit where I am doing my clinicals right now. I would be pretty upset if the nurses refused to get the vaccine and my newborn got sick. When I decided to become a nurse, I realized there would be things I would have to do to keep my patients safe, including getting vaccinations. Since I do not have a medical reason why I cannot get the vaccination, I see no reason to refuse to get it to keep myself and others safe. I believe healthcare workers should set the tone in any disease outbreak. But your mileage may vary, of course.

[Pfiesty]

I have a question - isn't the H1N1 vaccine the exact same as the yearly flu shot, only with this specific strain? What's so different about it that it needs the years of clinical trials before it's deemed safe? I thought I heard one of the "experts" talking about it on the news and they said it was the same as the typical vaccine.

Please don't flame me, I'm being sincere with these questions :) My hospital required the yearly flu shot this year, as did my nursing program. There are quite a few people upset about that as well. I'm diabetic so I always get the annual one....but I'm on the fence about H1N1. Any info would be appreciated!

Did the hospital and school "require" it, or recommend it strongly?

[Pfiesty]

Seaspray 7,

Your critical thinking skills will make you a most EXCELLENT nurse!

[Ginapixi, BSN, RN]

So, you refuse your yearly TB test too?

yes I do! since i had an adverse reaction a few years ago!

As we all know allergies develop over time, being exposed to the allergen over and again; who is to say who will react to what after being exposed to it on a regular basis?

what happened to freedom of choice?

[Ginapixi, BSN, RN]

Ummm..OK. You're logic doesn't make sense. What about all those other vaccinations that you're required to have????????????

we all have to draw the line some where at some point.... or just follow the leader blindly... that is not me, ergo i am not in the military