Survey: 87% favor mandatory health worker H1N1 shots

Thanks to all those poll takers who threw Health Care Workers under the bus!
WHO ASKED YOU TO MAKE THAT LIFE DECISION FOR US?!?!
Just like Obama!

Ahhh, let me get this right. You are a health care provider, yes? Just curious about the rather massive chasm between theory and practice.

Oh, one other question; for whom, exactly, do you want to keep the planet alive?

1)I get paid to do my job, and I need the pay to eat, so I do a good job.

2)Not for humans that may leave it lifeless and barren. I see the earth as a living organism, and if/when we fall there will be another form of life to carry on. Maybe they'll get it right where we screwed up.

i just found out today that it is mandatory where i work- no shot- no job. no job, no money.what a lovely choice(not) i get to make.

Well I suspect it is because one doesn't get immunity the moment one is injected with the vaccination.

So for those who consider this vaccine injecting "poison" or "a disease" into themselves or otherwise don't trust these "Government sanctioned" vaccinations...can I presume you haven't had any other vaccinations like Hep B? Or is it just the H1N1 and/or seasonal flu vaccines that are tainted? What about your children? Did you not vaccinate them before school for MM & R?

Also, how then are you advising your patients? Also, what about others you come in contact with, because surely, as nurses, people have been asking you about the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.

I am just trying to establish how far this thinking goes.

I know that. I just don't like how they place full burden on us. I will do my part-I want to be vaxd, I guess I feel that we are a major piece of the puzzle but pts can pass it to other pts so the ball is in everyone else's court as well. What I am saying is if they didn't actively seek out a vaccination when out of the hospital prior to admission then anyone on the street, in the bank, grocery store etc could give them the flu. But once they enter the hospital if they get it, it will be our fault-but they don't expect their bank teller or grocer to be vaxd. I AM getting my shots. I believe in them fully. Again I don't want an unvaccinated RN taking care of my mom because she isn't able to run right out and get an H1N1 vax-being in the older age group. I think if RNs don't want it then pts should be allowed to insist that only vaxd workers can enter their rooms-by using a sign on the door. I am all for that. But I am saying that pts -all people have a responsibility to protect themselves first. Again many older people won't be able to get the H1N1 vax-they will be at risk despite the finding that it has not hit their demographic as hard.

Also I have been giving the seasonal flu and pneumovax to all pts that are eligible and who want it since Oct 1 when we were given the okay to give it. The sooner the better.

For me, I will give my patients the shot if they wish it. But with having three boys, I have given them their shots and held my breath every time. For all of them, I have waited as long as possible to give the shots, and none of them have had an adverse effects. I just think that the CDC has kept piling on the immunizations, and while they have the potential for great good, I think that they also have the potential for great danger. For what it's worth, I also try not to take too much medication, either, but if my patients need it, I give it to them with a smile.

Even better if you're sick stay home. Wash your hands and cover your mouth. The basics will suffice.

I have a tough time with this issue. I don't feel that it should be MANDATED, but I feel that healthcare workers SHOULD make the decision to get the vaccine. I get my regular, seasonal flu vacc every year.

Last year my 10 year old (at the time) nephew fell ill with both influenza B AND strep at the same time. The poor kid was miserable. I don't think that I carried it home to him (I don't always see him on a regular basis), but I wouldn't want to be in any position to do so. I'm lucky in that I live alone at least, so the only people outside of work that I may put at risk is myself.

However, I am currently in the middle of a mandatory 7 days off for probably H1N1 infection. So....that changes my perspective a little bit. I don't know that I came in contact with anyone with it. Could have been a shopping cart handle for all I know. I didn't even realize it was my facility's policy to place people on leave for a week if they have symptoms of the virus. That could SEVERELY hurt our staffing, as the season is only beginning! (For seasonal flu, anyway....I know H1N1 has been travelling around for some time now). I got my seasonal flu shot last weekend, and came down with these symptoms last Friday (high fever, sore throat, headache, and some body aches; now the worst part is a cough that I'm afraid is becoming at least bronchitis and hopefully not pneumonia). The policy, at least around here, is to not even treat with anti-virals unless someone is high risk (diabetics, asthmatics, etc). I hadn't even been aware that my county is a "hotbed" right now for H1N1 infection (saw that article in the paper the day I got sick, as a matter of fact). I would hope my coworkers would get vaccinated, if only to make sure everyone can work! (I also don't want to see them get sick)

I do believe, however, that those that feel that HCW's should get vaccinated should get vaccinated themselves. If they are hospitalized with the virus, they are exposing many, many people as well.