flu shot required

Nurses General Nursing

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I am currently in an LPN-RN program and today I received an email telling me that the program now requires us to get flu shots. The program has always required flu shots for all students by January 1st but now they are telling us that due to the "unusual circumstances" this year, we are now required to get a shot by October 1st and then again in January. They also said that if a H1N1 vaccine is developed, we will "absolutely" be required to get that as well. I'm a little mad because this is potentially going to mean I have to get vaccinated 4 times this year! (The H1N1 vaccine might be a series of two shots). I am healthy and in my 20s and have never in my life gotten a flu shot and can't recall ever getting the flu. I kind of grumbled about having to get the one vaccine by January but now I'm kind of upset that I will forced to get multiple shots. I know that some people say it's worth it and just do it and stop complaining, but I can't help the way I feel. I don't like being forced to do anything, especially when it comes to my body. I know I probably can't "get out of it", and if we don't get the vaccines we can't go to clinical which means I'd fail. I'm just wondering what others think about this. Anyone else being required to get vaccines?

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I take my vaccines as they come, not because I am worried about me, but because I want to protect my patients.

You need to discuss your concerns with your advisers and program heads. As with all "requirements" they will most likely have loopholes for people with religious, ethical beliefs against vaccines. I wouldn't mention "I just don't want to because you are making me". I am pretty sure that won't be an option on the list, but who knows.

Tait

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The same thing happened when I was in school with the hepatitis b shot. I hated being told what to do, but in retrospect, I was happy that I was made to get the shot.

As for the flu shot, you are in two high risk groups for getting and passing on the flu virus: college student and health care worker/student. by virtue of what you do, you are highly likely to be exposed to the flu and to pass it on to others. By getting the flu shot, you are not only helping yourself, but everyone around you.

When the college campus where I teach offered the flu shot, I went to get mine on the first day. They also immunized anyone in our household if we wanted them to, as they could be impacted by our flu and we could be impacted if they got the flu. This flu is highly contagious and can potentially cause a faculty member or a student to miss alot of class, and it's not easy to make up class and clinical in nursing school. So, I got my family immunized last week, as well. I don't want them to miss school and work and neither do I.

As for the swine flu shot, I heard a blip on the Today Show this morning that it is possible that the shot may only be one, not two as originally thought. However, there was something about "some" people may require two.

Hang in there, get immunized and be happy that we live in a society that has the capability to create and distribute immunizations. Good luck to you as you complete your nursing education!

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I'm not a fan of shots either, but I think it's worth it to not miss a week of class/clinicals/work.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

Why 2 shots for the seasonal influenza A? I 've not heard of that before, we just give one every year including this year. As far as I know 1 shot should last the entire flu season. But I guess things change rapidly and maybe I just haven't heard about this yet???

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http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/cdc-/630904.html

It was suspected that 2 flu shots may be needed for H1N1, but I've seen a few recent reports in the news that only one shot.

"THURSDAY, Sept. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Preliminary tests of an H1N1 swine flu vaccine conducted in Australia and Britain show that a single dose creates enough antibodies to protect against the virus within about 10 day"

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

I am wondering in regards to the pneumonia vaccine if there is a set age guideline for who may recieve it. I know of the high risk groups, one/5 yrs and the 65 and older. I have read or heard conflicting information about persons that may get it if they are 50 yo and older? Since it's not given as often as mass seasonal flu shots just wondering.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I would want to know why you must get 2 Fluvax, that is unusual.

It's very simple though - vaccinations save lives, particularly in HCW who work with vulnerable patients.

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Looking for the loophole? Develop an egg allergy. Then they cant make you get the shot or hold you out of clinical because its a medical condition. Some may consider this unethical but each person should decide what goes in their body not an institution, college, or job. :banghead:

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just suck it up and get the shots, if you get the flu and miss clinical points you will call me and tell me what an idiot you were!

My grandmother would have said, "Lalalalexi, why is it that you always take the longest way around the block?"

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Specializes in ICU, ED, PACU.

Getting two Influenza A vaccinations is sometimes typical of the first exposure to an influenza A vaccination. I am unsure of the patho phys of this, but know it isn't atypical. Mandating vaccination of Influenza A is not to protect you, but rather to protect your patients from you. Even asymptomatic influenza is still highly contagious. Your super immune system may be able to fend off the virus, but your patients may not be so lucky.

Regarding the H1N1 vaccination. I would be highly skeptical of this vaccination until a sufficient amount of testing and research into its efficacy is completed. If you do not want a mandatory H1N1 vaccination I would discuss the issue with your administration, laying out a logical evidence based practice argument.

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I am currently in an LPN-RN program and today I received an email telling me that the program now requires us to get flu shots. The program has always required flu shots for all students by January 1st but now they are telling us that due to the "unusual circumstances" this year, we are now required to get a shot by October 1st and then again in January. They also said that if a H1N1 vaccine is developed, we will "absolutely" be required to get that as well. I'm a little mad because this is potentially going to mean I have to get vaccinated 4 times this year! (The H1N1 vaccine might be a series of two shots). I am healthy and in my 20s and have never in my life gotten a flu shot and can't recall ever getting the flu. I kind of grumbled about having to get the one vaccine by January but now I'm kind of upset that I will forced to get multiple shots. I know that some people say it's worth it and just do it and stop complaining, but I can't help the way I feel. I don't like being forced to do anything, especially when it comes to my body. I know I probably can't "get out of it", and if we don't get the vaccines we can't go to clinical which means I'd fail. I'm just wondering what others think about this. Anyone else being required to get vaccines?

If this is a condition of the program then either stay and get the shots or look for another program. There are MANY health care organizations that are requiring this as well so when you are employed you may face the same trouble and then have no employment.

otessa

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