Would You Accept Swine Flu Vaccine?

Nurses COVID

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  1. Would You Take the Swine Flu Vaccine?

    • 89
      Yes
    • 144
      No
    • 48
      Depends

281 members have participated

My facility had a town hall meeting and announced that this year, it will be mandatory for all direct care staff to get the flu shot, and that they expect the swine flu vaccine to be ready this year, around October, and that we would be mandated to take that as well to protect the patients we care for. I am not very comfortable being mandated to take anything...this would be a brand new vaccine. Why should I be the guinea pig? Thoughts?

Specializes in RN CRRN.

is thimerasol (oops I hope I spelled that right) in most vaccines? I think that is what my mom has an allergy to and I have a possible sensitivity to in most eye meds that contain it. If it is in most vaccines then I am probably okay since I have had flu vaxs before. But I don't remember ever hearing that it was in vaccines. I recall 'thimerasol free'?

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

How is it that some of you say that it is against our rights for an employer to mandate the flu vaccines and that you would rebel ... and yet ... you almost certainly complied with the same employer's requirements of other vaccines (e.g. MMR, tetenus, etc.) when you took the job.

Why are the pre-employment requirements OK and the flu shots a violation of your rights?

Just curious what you see as the distinguishing feature between the two.

Specializes in Cardiac.

That's a good point.

I think the difference is that the MMr and other vaccines are tested and have been given for years, whereas the swine flu is new and untested or researched on a large level.

Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.
How is it that some of you say that it is against our rights for an employer to mandate the flu vaccines and that you would rebel ... and yet ... you almost certainly complied with the same employer's requirements of other vaccines (e.g. MMR, tetenus, etc.) when you took the job.

Why are the pre-employment requirements OK and the flu shots a violation of your rights?

Just curious what you see as the distinguishing feature between the two.

First of all, all those vaccines have been around for a long time and we know the safety of them. Additionally some of us are old enough to have active immunity because we did have measles, mumps and rubella growing up. The swine flu vaccine is being fast tracked and we do not know the side effects, if any, yet. The last swine flu vaccine had some serious adverse effects.

is thimerasol (oops I hope I spelled that right) in most vaccines? I think that is what my mom has an allergy to and I have a possible sensitivity to in most eye meds that contain it. If it is in most vaccines then I am probably okay since I have had flu vaxs before. But I don't remember ever hearing that it was in vaccines. I recall 'thimerasol free'?

Apparently some of the vaccine will have thimerisol and some will not.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFluNews/story?id=8206167&page=1

Specializes in CCU & CTICU.
How is it that some of you say that it is against our rights for an employer to mandate the flu vaccines and that you would rebel ... and yet ... you almost certainly complied with the same employer's requirements of other vaccines (e.g. MMR, tetenus, etc.) when you took the job.

Why are the pre-employment requirements OK and the flu shots a violation of your rights?

Just curious what you see as the distinguishing feature between the two.

I'm not required to get a flu shot. I'm required to sign a paper saying I don't want one.

As for pre-employment, that was because I had the shots as a child. But parents can also opt out of having their children get childhood vaccinations:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/parents.htm#risks

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Personally, I am leery because this is brand new and the last time reported serious side effects. I have no issues getting it, I believe the creation of these vaccines in such a massive level is an emotional response to fear and public outrage. Only 300 some odd people died from swine flu in the US, and they had chronic illnesses (at least this is what I am aware of), anyhow. At this time, it seems that this strain is similar to the regular flu, so, I'm not sure if I am at risk myself.

I plan to watch the events and see what happens. Maybe they'll offer the same option as Hepatitis, where you can decline and sign a waiver. I'll definitely keep you all posted. And like some have mentioned, I have no issues taking it, but, don't want to be forced to be a guinea pig.

Specializes in telemetry.

I dont like the idea about it being mandated...... I believe in choice about the medicine/vaccines I put into my body......

However,

I am pregnant and work at the bedside so I am exposed to everything. Talk about being a high risk! So yeah, I plan on getting BOTH the flu shots when they come around.

Specializes in ER.

I won't take any medications that haven't been around for at least five years. I'll say no to the flu shot, since that's developed yearly.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am healthy, have a robust immune system and never get the flu shot and would certainly not go along with the swine flu shot either.

I would not take a swine flu vaccine. I just avoid pork altogether. :wink2:

Specializes in Too many to list.

Pagandeva, thank you for starting this thread. Please forgive me for using your post to make my points. I am not picking on you. You are just allowing me to make some observations about this situation that we find ourselves in, and to suggest that more of you should give some serious thought to getting vaccinated this time, even if you normally do not. With that being said, I do understand and respect the decisions of everyone on this thread.

Personally, I am leery because this is brand new and the last time reported serious side effects.

Understandable. The 1976 situation is similiar only in that both were novel strains of virus that no one had any immunity to. However, the two viruses as well as the two vaccines are totally different. The 1976 virus never went pandemic. They vaccinated all of those people for a pandemic that never happened.

Because of that unfortunate occurrence, vaccine manufacturers are proceeding with extraordinary caution. No one wants a repeat of 1976. This is one reason why the use of adjuvants to extend the amount of vaccine available has been ruled out at least for now. Adjuvants could have eliminated the need for everyone to get two injections instead of just one to produce the appropriate immune response, but adjuvants have never been used before on young people. There was no data on the safe use in that particular population. It was not a risk anyone was prepared to take at least not initially. The US did buy and stockpile adjuvants, however to use if the situation becomes dire. As a result of that decision though, there will be less vaccine available to donate to the poorer countries who cannot afford to buy them.

I have no issues getting it, I believe the creation of these vaccines in such a massive level is an emotional response to fear and public outrage.

The case for a vaccine is reality based on a real public health challenge even though the population may be having an emotional reaction with regard to this new virus. The sheer numbers of people that may be sickened simultaneously may be surprising because this virus is known to be more transmissible than seasonal flu. Even if most do not have any complications, influenza is still an incapacitating illness. If you have it, you can barely take care of yourself much less do anything else. You are very sick.

This is no longer being described as a mild illness. The WHO and CDC are saying it is of moderate severity. This is much different than the initial descriptions of this virus. There are likely to be disruptions in the way society functions come this fall and winter because so many will be out sick at once. The impact, especially for healthcare could be enormous. If the virus returns in force before the vax is available, well, things are going to be rough especially for ER staff.

Only 300 some odd people died from swine flu in the US, and they had chronic illnesses (at least this is what I am aware of), anyhow. At this time, it seems that this strain is similar to the regular flu, so, I'm not sure if I am at risk myself.

It is not similiar to seasonal flu. Seasonal flu does not specifically target the young or pregnant women, and certainly not in the summer. This flu is attacking us in the northern hemisphere, as well as the southern simultaneously. But, the worst of it has not happened yet. The southern hemisphere countries are getting hit right now because it is their flu season. The healthcare facilities in Argentina in particular are under tremendous stress. They have called up retired doctors, and are using medical students as well. Our flu season has not happened yet, but it will be here in a matter of weeks, and the kids are going back to school. I worry about the pregnant teachers...

Here is something else that is peculiar to pandemic viruses to consider. It is known that even though some people had no risk factors, they still died anyway. This phenomenom appears to be random, and was characteristic of some past pandemics. Tracking this type of data has been made much more difficult lately as certain health departments have refused to report ages, or data on prior exisiting health conditions. This is in stark contrast to the way that they initially were reporting to the public. They had been much more transparent. These cases do surface now, but mostly through reports in the media when families question why this has happened to their previously healthy loved ones. I strongly suspect that a certain percentage of these type of deaths do continue to occur here, as they continue to be reported in the foreign press as well. The actual percentage of these types of deaths compared to the deaths of those with known health problems is not at all clear at this time, and that is troubling.

Here is something else to consider when thinking of the numbers of US fatalities. The CDC tells us that probably a million people were infected, in the US, and this was well over a month ago. Yet, they report only about 350 deaths. This does not make sense. In the UK, where they were still testing until recently, the death rate is reported to be 1 or 2 per thousand. If the rate there is comparable to the rate here, and it probably is, than they should have reported about 1000 deaths. What is wrong with this picture? The answer has to be that they are not listing all of the US deaths as being caused by swine flu. For example, if you have COPD, but you also have swine flu, you might be listed as dying from COPD. Does anyone remember the GP that died in the UK? He was known to have H1N1, but the initial coroner report said that he died of natural causes. This was publicly and loudly questioned. The coroner changed the dx on the final report to swine flu. Do you see what I mean? The US number of deaths are most likely being undercounted.

Has anyone noticed just how many pregnant women have already died or lost their babies? I am pulling my hair out in frustration at how many of them are dying every week, and it's not just in the southern hemisphere where it is winter. It is happening here as well. I am tremendously worried about how many more we will lose in the fall. The numbers are growing almost daily...

https://allnurses.com/pandemic-flu-forum/evidence-swine-flu-399332.html

We are only 3 months into this, but we are going to be dealing with this for up to two years or more. There will be successive waves of infection that may well target slightly different groups as the virus mutates, because that is what pandemic viruses do. This is extremely dangerous. We have limited options, and though it may not very apparent yet, things are going to get worse.

I plan to watch the events and see what happens. Maybe they'll offer the same option as Hepatitis, where you can decline and sign a waiver. I'll definitely keep you all posted. And like some have mentioned, I have no issues taking it, but, don't want to be forced to be a guinea pig.

Again, understandable. No one should be forced to accept a foreign substance into their bodies. I have to agree with you on this one. More than likely, you are going to be immunized one way or the other, either by injection or by illness.

Specializes in telemetry.

How long after you are vaccinated are you "covered?"

We had a confirmed H1N1 on my floor three weeks ago. I floated a two months ago and there was a confirmed H1N1 person there too. Those are the two I have actually seen (I was not their nurse though) We are still activly seeing it in the Pacific NW. It is out there folks. I am dreading flu season.

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