Flu shots as a student anyone?

withpurpose · Sep 16, 2013

Many organizations now require anyone coming into contact with patients to have the influenza vaccine (unless they have a documented contraindication). While I respect individual choices to not get the vaccine, when you work in healthcare, you have a responsibility to be vaccinated. I didn't always get mine until I started nursing school years ago, but have been faithful since. It doesn't prevent every flu, and sometimes I still get the flus that it's meant to help prevent, but I'm never as sick as those that didn't get the flu vaccine. Last year, there was a lot of young families in our area that don't believe in vaccinations that became very ill from the flu (adults and children). Some were hospitalized and some of the children almost didn't survive. As a mother that had premature babies, I will not take my children to any clinic that does not require all staff (including physicians) have the flu vaccine. This is where the responsibility of a healthcare provider comes in. We have to do our part to help prevent the spread of influenza. Influenza can be deadly to at risk populations such as premature infants and elderly. Please get your influenza vaccination, not only for your health, but also for the health of those you come in contact with.

Yellibee · Sep 16, 2013

I've never ::knocks on wood:: had the flu nor have I ever had the vaccine. My two yr old has as part of her immunizations but my school suggests it for clinicals but we can decline... We'll just have to wear masks the entire time. I'm on the fence. I don't want to get sick. I can't afford to get sick. But I know that if I want to work in this field ill just have to do it. Mind over matter in this case for me.

auralae · Sep 16, 2013

Our nursing program requires us to have one, along with several other vaccines that we have to keep up-to-date. I'm surprised that it's not a requirement if you are in a nursing program.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 16, 2013

people just forget that the flu kills millions worldwide every year, even in the USA. In 1918 when the flu swept the world the MAJORITY of people who died were young and healthy. They were all together in camps due to WWI going on. Never having been sick is not a reason for you to never be sick.

In my facility if you refuse the vaccine you have to wear a mask at work from 10/1 to 3/30 every time you work.

smudgetool · Sep 16, 2013

I never get the flu shot and I never get the flu. Nutrition, exercise and some Vit. D from the sun does the trick. Myself, along with the other nurses I work with (who also do not get the shot) always wear masks to protect our patients.

chrisrn24 · Sep 17, 2013

I ALWAYS get a flu shot and have never had the flu.

I think if you work in healthcare you need to have one unless you have a specific medical reason.

Some people are a little paranoid. Do you really know what the "flu" is? It's not your standard cold so don't think that. The flu shot will not kill you! For your patients, friends and family who cannot have the shot - get the shot.

Not sure why people have this thing where they're like "well I've never had one...so that means I can never get one." You can and its easy! Most people have no legitimate reason for refusing the shot.

And having to wear a mask all winter?? YUCK!

kcngallarini · Sep 17, 2013

My clinical facility gives you a choice: 1. Get a flu shot and go about your business as usual. 2. Don't get a flu shot, BUT you must standard precaution up at EVERY patient contact- gown, mask, gloves and goggles. I get the shot. I had got a flu shot twice before my nursing clinical started, and got sick both times. This past fall I did not get the flu, but I was sick with colds, stomach viruses, and sore throats more often than I had been in the previous 10 years. I have worked in nursing support for 17 years, so I doubt it was a case of increased exposure.

carterlee · Sep 19, 2013

We learned the hard way or at least my husband did. Decided that he never got the flu so he did not need the vaccine. I have always made sure the family all six kids got one. Husband got the flu so bad it attacked his heart and left him with a weak heart muscle. Get it the chance is that your family will not be hit as hard or as bad even if they do get it.

Medic362 · Sep 24, 2013

It should be a personal choice. You cannot force your patients to take medications. This is your own body and it is morally repugnant to force others to do put things in their own body that they don't want to. If you look at studies that aren't funded by the pharmaceutical companies producing the vaccines you can see that their effectiveness if questionable. Mercury and Thimerosol are both ingredients in the flu vaccine and are not healthy whatsoever. My program allowed us to sign a waver and if my future facility I work in forces flu vaccines on their employees then I will just find another employer or wear the mask for the season.

allnurses Guide · Sep 24, 2013

It should be a personal choice. You cannot force your patients to take medications. This is your own body and it is morally repugnant to force others to do put things in their own body that they don't want to. If you look at studies that aren't funded by the pharmaceutical companies producing the vaccines you can see that their effectiveness if questionable. Mercury and Thimerosol are both ingredients in the flu vaccine and are not healthy whatsoever. My program allowed us to sign a waver and if my future facility I work in forces flu vaccines on their employees then I will just find another employer or wear the mask for the season.

It is a personal choice: vaccine or mask or vaccine or new job. I am not aware of any employers that "force" employees to be vaccinated.

The outcomes data from influenza vaccines shows a significant effect from vaccination (though not as drastic as initially suggested), save in the elderly where more study is needed (though it is reasonable to extrapolate). Please copy a link to the studies you are referencing so we can read them.

As for thimerosol, there are a number of major studies that show no correlation between thimerosol-containing vaccines and major adverse reactions. Please copy a study link that concludes otherwise if you know of one.

Medic362 · Sep 25, 2013

It is a personal choice: vaccine or mask or vaccine or new job. I am not aware of any employers that "force" employees to be vaccinated.
The outcomes data from influenza vaccines shows a significant effect from vaccination (though not as drastic as initially suggested), save in the elderly where more study is needed (though it is reasonable to extrapolate). Please copy a link to the studies you are referencing so we can read them.
As for thimerosol, there are a number of major studies that show no correlation between thimerosol-containing vaccines and major adverse reactions. Please copy a study link that concludes otherwise if you know of one.

There are plenty of employers that are forcing people to be vaccinated. There is no longer a choice at some hospitals in regards to the mask during flu season. I've never had a vaccine before nor have I ever taken a medication and I don't recall being sick since I was a young child and I am going on 30 years old.

Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis : The Lancet Infectious Diseases

The ’60% Effective’ Flu Shot That’s 98.5% Useless – LewRockwell.com

"

A new study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reveals that the flu vaccine prevents lab confirmed type A or type B influenza in only 1.5 out of every 100 vaccinated adults … but the media is reporting this to mean “60 percent effective.”

It is estimated that, annually, only about 2.7% of adults get type A or type B influenza in the first place. The study showed that the use of flu vaccines appear to drop this down to about 1.2%. This is a roughly 60% drop, but that ignores the fact that the vaccine has no protective health benefit for 97.5% of adults. "

Its very difficult to find unbiased studies in regards to this topic. If you trace back the sources of the studies that show the effectiveness of the vaccine you most likely will find someone who has a financial interest in it. Find me something on Thimerasal not published by the FDA or CDC, both of which are closely tied with the pharmaceutical giants?

These flu vaccines are just another ploy by the drug companies to make a dollar and another sign of the over medication of America. I have met two people who have had dystonic reactions post flu vaccine, one of which used to work for my fire department and is now wheelchair bound and another a patient in a nursing home which I used to work in.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Sep 25, 2013

There are plenty of employers that are forcing people to be vaccinated. There is no longer a choice at some hospitals in regards to the mask during flu season. I've never had a vaccine before nor have I ever taken a medication and I don't recall being sick since I was a young child and I am going on 30 years old. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis : The Lancet Infectious Diseases The ’60% Effective’ Flu Shot That’s 98.5% Useless – LewRockwell.com " A new study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reveals that the flu vaccine prevents lab confirmed type A or type B influenza in only 1.5 out of every 100 vaccinated adults … but the media is reporting this to mean “60 percent effective.” It is estimated that annually, only about 2.7% of adults get type A or type B influenza in the first place. The study showed that the use of flu vaccines appear to drop this down to about 1.2%. This is a roughly 60% drop, but that ignores the fact that the vaccine has no protective health benefit for 97.5% of adults. " Its very difficult to find unbiased studies in regards to this topic. If you trace back the sources of the studies that show the effectiveness of the vaccine you most likely will find someone who has a financial interest in it. Find me something on Thimerasal not published by the FDA or CDC, both of which are closely tied with the pharmaceutical giants? These flu vaccines are just another ploy by the drug companies to make a dollar and another sign of the over medication of America. I have met two people who have had dystonic reactions post flu vaccine, one of which used to work for my fire department and is now wheelchair bound and another a patient in a nursing home which I used to work in.[/quote']
I'm just wondering how you are working or were admitted to nursing school without ever having vaccines. I couldn't even graduate high school without my shots.
Second, if vaccines rarely work, then how do you explain the fact that many people die on a regular basis around the world that do not have access to vaccinations? Or that diseases such as polio, measles, mumps and rubella are on the rise in areas In which parents have been refusing immunizations after they were almost completely irradiated in the US?
Genuine questions.