Mandatory Vaccines and the Law.

Nurses General Nursing

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I got through LPN school, ASN school, and two jobs (one in a major hospital on the tele floor) declining the hepatitis B vaccine. Now, I am trying to arrange clinicals for the BSN program and the person in admissions is telling me I must have the HBV vaccine before I can be admitted into any healthcare facilities.

I know this is not true, but I'm easily intimidated (not a good trait but it's my nature) and now I'm upset over this woman giving me a hassle.

I'm not wanting to debate whether or not a person should have this vaccine. I just want to know if anyone knows the name of the law or where it can be found where a person has the right to reject vaccinations.

I've signed a waiver every time and with no trouble or "you should really do this" from anyone. Now, this secretary is giving me a lot of trouble.

I think it depends on the state. A while back a judge was throwing parents in jail for choosing not to vaccinate their kids. Parents were given a you better vax or go to jail warning.

I my state you can refuse and must sign a waiver. I personally chose to get the vax because hep B is easily preventable and its one of those that can be prevented with a simple vaccine. Chicken pox I waived because its effectiveness isn't that great.

Check with the cdc... www.cdc.gov and see if there is an area on local laws reguarding vaxinations.

If you know, or can find out, which healthcare facilities are going to be used, can you contact them directly about it? Maybe you can get a waiver directly from the facility, that you can sign and fax to the person in admissions?

Specializes in Critical Care.
I got through LPN school, ASN school, and two jobs (one in a major hospital on the tele floor) declining the hepatitis B vaccine. Now, I am trying to arrange clinicals for the BSN program and the person in admissions is telling me I must have the HBV vaccine before I can be admitted into any healthcare facilities.

I know this is not true, but I'm easily intimidated (not a good trait but it's my nature) and now I'm upset over this woman giving me a hassle.

I'm not wanting to debate whether or not a person should have this vaccine. I just want to know if anyone knows the name of the law or where it can be found where a person has the right to reject vaccinations.

You have the right to reject vaccinations, however, companies and schools have the right to reject unvaccinated employees and students.

Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

Methylene is exactly right. It may mean you will have to scramble for a clinical site. Vaccine laws are per state--not federal. You can find your state's law on the CDC website or your state website. What are your reasons for not getting the vaccine? You may need to do some soul searching.

I think it depends on the state. A while back a judge was throwing parents in jail for choosing not to vaccinate their kids. Parents were given a you better vax or go to jail warning.

:eek::no:

LOL! Over my dead body. My child is partially vaccinated and I simply signed a waiver form before enrolling her in school. In public school, a child cannot be "turned away" for not being vaxed. However, private institutions (schools, companies, hospitals, etc.) can set their own rules concerning immunization.

You have the right to reject vaccinations, however, companies and schools have the right to reject unvaccinated employees and students.

With the exception of a privately run institution, that's not true.

What are your reasons for not getting the vaccine? You may need to do some soul searching.

I didn't want to get into this aspect of it, but I'll just say it isn't without an educated reason I do not want the vaccine. Soul searching is what brought me to my decision not to get the vaccine.

Specializes in Critical Care.
With the exception of a privately run institution, that's not true.

Yes it is. There is no federal protection from discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.

Yes it is. There is no federal protection from discrimination on the basis of vaccination status.

Yes there is.

Specializes in OR, PACU, GI, med-surg, OB, school nursing.
My child is partially vaccinated and I simply signed a waiver form before enrolling her in school. In public school, a child cannot be "turned away" for not being vaxed.

Laws vary state by state. My children are also partially vaccinated; in Vermont there is a moral/philosophical waiver allowed, so anyone can sign a waiver form and enroll their kids in public school. Other states allow only religious or medical waivers, and some allow only medical waivers.

This link has a map indicating laws by state. Unfortunately, GoLytely, it only applies to children. I took a quick look around the site, but couldn't find anything about immunization law and adults. Good luck!

http://909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm

Specializes in Critical Care.
Yes there is.

Show me the statute, then. Title VII makes no mention of vaccination status.

Also, even if Title VII mentioned vaccination, it isn't discrimination if it's a job requirement-- for instance, males can't claim discrimination in hiring as a dancer at a strip club.

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