Flu Shots

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  • Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

You are reading page 2 of Flu Shots

woody62, RN

928 Posts

Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

Can I ask you guys a few questions. Does your employer or did your program require you get the Hepatitis B series? The graduate program I was in did. Or I couldn't do any of the clinical experiences required by the program. And the hospitals in the area also required the series before you could engage in clinical practice in their facility. It seems like every year we get the 'no employer is going to force me to get a flu shot' or ;it has an additive in it that is harmful.'

You people are exposed to sick people every day. And some of them may have the flu virus circulating in them. Or do you think that because you are a health care provider you are immune? And do you think that because you are an health care provider, you don't have the flu virus circulating in your system, exposing your patients to your own little flu virus. I have been getting the flu vaccine since 1976, when NYSDH required that all of its employees get the famous swine flu shot. It didn't make me sick and unfortunately it didn't protect me from the flu that year. The CDC had called it wrong.

I have an idea, if you refuse the flu shot and you get the flu, stay home. But you employer doesn't have to pay you for your sick days because you refused the shot. And since any patient exposed to you, who gets the flu, they should have the right to force you to pay for their additional time in the hospital. And if the patient dies, the family has the right to sue you. Sounds a bit outrageous, doesn't it? Just as refusing a vaccination that may protect you, your family, your patients, your co-workers does.

Woody:balloons:

RNERHOUSESUPOR

410 Posts

Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Today was the day. I was told to go home for not accepting a flu shot. I had an opportunity to lie and indicate I have an allergy to eggs, thimerisol or have a past history of Guillain-Barre' Syndrome, but I could not simply refuse the influenza vaccine. For some reason I do not find it comforting that management would encourage a signed false statement in place of an honest refusal.

My dilemma is how to handle the issue. The Policy indicates that the vaccine will be offered between October and December 14th. Associates who do not receive a "Flu Shot" by December 1 will be given a written warning to be placed in the employment file. An Associate will not be allowed to work beginning December 15 unless a signed form from the Infection Control department will allow a person not to receive a shot that year.

I did not receive a written warning. I was told on Tuesday of last week verbally that I needed to "get your flu shot". I visited with my manager indicating I would not be getting a flu shot and he said on the 15th I would not be allowed to work. I questioned him regarding the "Written Warning" and was told "I told you several times you needed to get your flu shot". I also reminded him that I politely declined each time he "told me". He then said it was "out of my hands". I asked him where I should proceed and he indicated Infection Control. There I was offered the vaccine or signing off on the consent form that I was allergic. I advised I would not lie, but would honestly indicate refusal on the form and was not offered that opportunity. The infection control Nurse said "it's out of my hands". He suggested the CEO. I won't go into how that went.

Now for the question. Had I received a written warning. I would have tendered my resignation giving a two notice. Here I am today deciding if I need to give a letter of resignation or not. Sorry this was so long winded but it was nice to get it off my chest.

Kunzieo

199 Posts

Can I ask you guys a few questions. Does your employer or did your program require you get the Hepatitis B series? The graduate program I was in did. Or I couldn't do any of the clinical experiences required by the program. And the hospitals in the area also required the series before you could engage in clinical practice in their facility.

Woody:balloons:

Nope. Both the school I attend and the hospital I work at have a waiver you can sign if you do not want the Hep B series. There are no restrictions placed upon you if you choose to forgo the series and sign the waiver.

I think it should be the same for the Flu Shot.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN

1,174 Posts

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

OP, I am so sorry for the agregious actions taken by your place of employment. Here's to finding work, probably better work, less rigid, right quick! Perhaps good can come from this!

My employer did request we get our flew shots. Not on pain of death or the losing of one's job. I did go ahead and get one. Thank goodness I did!

Perhaps I did suffer a few aches bodily while I slept after receiving the shot and that was quite alright. Especially when I look back now and see that my wife suffered a bout of influenza that lasted 2+weeks... Headache, aches, vomit, weakness, the works!

Ironically the day after she came down with symptoms, I was leaving work in the early morn. I live so close I can walk home! And there was this long line of cars. This was for the annual free flu shots that my hospital provides our community. I couldn't help but chuckle. Life's like that sometimes.

RNERHOUSESUPOR

410 Posts

Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

Heading back to town where I was not allowed to work following the refusal of the flu shot. Hoping to work there during the summer (not flu season) to finish my house and put it on the market for sale. Wouldn't work there but it's the only hospital in the area. Guess I really shouldn't say that but it's true. Other than the flu shot refusal I have been a model employee. I don't believe that should be held against me but we will see. Everything works out for the best given the opportunity.

Rod

southlandshari

66 Posts

Specializes in PCT - ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med-Surg.
Heading back to town where I was not allowed to work following the refusal of the flu shot. Hoping to work there during the summer (not flu season) to finish my house and put it on the market for sale. Wouldn't work there but it's the only hospital in the area. Guess I really shouldn't say that but it's true. Other than the flu shot refusal I have been a model employee. I don't believe that should be held against me but we will see. Everything works out for the best given the opportunity.

Rod

I'm sending thoughts and prayers your way, Rod. I believe that the actions of your employer - particularly the chorus of "it's out of my hands" by anyone and everyone in a position to make reasonable exceptions - were not only misguided, but dangerously close to the edge of illegality as well.

I would have refused to take a flu vaccination under the same circumstances. I have the luxury (lol) of a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, so I probably would have squeaked by the powers-that-be at your local hospital. That said, even before my bout with GBS, I had never had a flu shot and probably would have avoided having one as well. I am genuinely shocked that any hospital would penalize employees for opting out of a vaccination that is not required by the federal government or any medical licensing agency for any purpose (school/travel/work).

Good luck, and keep us posted!

:)

southlandshari

66 Posts

Specializes in PCT - ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med-Surg.
Can I ask you guys a few questions. Does your employer or did your program require you get the Hepatitis B series? The graduate program I was in did. Or I couldn't do any of the clinical experiences required by the program. And the hospitals in the area also required the series before you could engage in clinical practice in their facility. It seems like every year we get the 'no employer is going to force me to get a flu shot' or ;it has an additive in it that is harmful.'

You people are exposed to sick people every day. And some of them may have the flu virus circulating in them. Or do you think that because you are a health care provider you are immune? And do you think that because you are an health care provider, you don't have the flu virus circulating in your system, exposing your patients to your own little flu virus. I have been getting the flu vaccine since 1976, when NYSDH required that all of its employees get the famous swine flu shot. It didn't make me sick and unfortunately it didn't protect me from the flu that year. The CDC had called it wrong.

I have an idea, if you refuse the flu shot and you get the flu, stay home. But you employer doesn't have to pay you for your sick days because you refused the shot. And since any patient exposed to you, who gets the flu, they should have the right to force you to pay for their additional time in the hospital. And if the patient dies, the family has the right to sue you. Sounds a bit outrageous, doesn't it? Just as refusing a vaccination that may protect you, your family, your patients, your co-workers does.

Woody:balloons:

That same vaccination that may protect you can also make you very, very sick, Woody. And those nurses and other medical personnel who refuse it deserve to have their personal decisions respected, not met with knee-jerk dismissal by their peers here.

:twocents:

aeauooo

482 Posts

Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.
As long as the potent neurotoxin thimerisol is present in the influenza vaccine, I will refuse this immunization year after year after year

That is your right, but the internet is a very good source for very bad information on vaccines. There have never been any documented associations between thimerosal-containing vaccines and long-term neurologic or any other severe sequelae.

'Data' is not the plural of 'anecdote.'

No one denies that vaccines have associated risks, but what we forget in this country because we have such high immunization coverage is how deadly and disabling vaccine preventable illnesses, including flu, are.

The risk of death or permanent disability from vaccine-preventable illnesses far outweigh the risks of vaccine-associated injuries.

If you are that worried about preventable injury, then you really shouldn't drive a car. Your risk of being injured or killed in an MVA every time you get behind the wheel are much higher - to the extreme - than your risk of vaccine-associated injury.

Finally, I think it is highly incumbant upon nurses to give accurate and factual information to our patients regarding health issues. I recommend that you re-read the article from the FDA you cited as well as look at the CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for evidence-based information about vaccine safety.

Davies, P., Chapman, S., Leask, J. (2002). Antivaccination activists on the world wide web. Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 87(1), 22-25.

Gangarosa, E. J., Galazka, A. M., Wolfe, C. R., Phillips, L. M., Gangarosa, R. E., Chen, R. T. (1998). Impact of anti-vaccine movements on pertussis control: the untold story. Lancet, 351, 356-361.

Nasir, L. (2000). Reconnoitering the antivaccination web sites: News from the front. Journal of Family Practice, 49(8), 731-733.

In addition to strong opinions, I also have several pages of references that I have read on the subject of vaccine safety and ethics.

allnurses Guide

XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN

1 Article; 3,017 Posts

Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.
I got mine today.I got it free because I am Diabetic not because I am a nurse.Last year it would have cost me £12 because the company would not pay for it ,needless to say I did not get it last year.

We get ours free if we want them. I am surprised your GP doesn't offer them

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