Flu shot controversy

Nurses COVID

Published

  • by JeniRN
    Specializes in tele, CCU.

You are reading page 2 of Flu shot controversy

holly123

32 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics.

theres more mercury in a tuna sandwhich...i always get mine :nurse:

gonzo1, ASN, RN

1,739 Posts

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

About 20 years ago I got the flu two winters in a row and each time it went into pneumonia. The second year I was very sick, in the hospital for a week. Went completely deaf and couldn't smell for several weeks. Fortunately most (but not all of my hearing came back). My doctor told me to always get a flu shot and I have faithfully every year since then. I have never had the flu, or pneumonia since.

For me, I am more afraid of not getting the flu shot. I just got mine a week ago with absolutely no adverse effects at all. My husband got his too, with no problems. It is a personal decision that each person needs to make for themselves after studying the information available closely.

I do not believe anyone should be forced to take the shot though in order to protect their job. That is a little too "big brother" for me.

thinkertdm

174 Posts

To the OP:

I read on a website that Elvis is still alive. Another website claimed that he was shacking up with Bigfoot, and another site said with pygmies.

Just because you read it on a website somewhere doesn't mean it's true.

PS- I looked on pubmed, and didn't see any studies- at all- about consecutive flu shots causing alzheimers. Can you provide citations for all this information you've collected?

Another thing- Correlation does not indicate causation, and in fact, unless you have done a systematic data collection and analyzed it to eliminate sources of error, you can't definitively say anything at all.

Additionally, GB is a known side effect of the flu shot. I am not entirely sure, but other medications may have side effects too. Why don't you pick on them?

grannyrn65

102 Posts

So, all being healthcare professionals, we are all urged (if not required) to be vaccinated for the flu annually. I completely understand why. I know there is some controversy about flu vaccines and their safety as well though. I know that people just think, well I wanna keep my patients safe, so i'm getting one, without thinking about the possible side effects, if they really do exist. Not saying that I disagree with it, because that's not the case at all, vaccines can really be a good thing, have been proved to have helped millions of people throughout the years.

As far as the controversy goes, I have found multiple sites explaining about the mercury and aluminum content in these vaccines. Some say it's minimal, others say since mercury is so toxic, it's a bad amount. Also same goes with aluminum. Both which have potential to cause neurological problems. I have read MANY studies which show that If you more than 5 consecutive flu vaccines, you have a HUGE increase in chance of developing alzheimers later in life. Thing is, these vaccines are tested and deemed safe right now, but how do you measure side effects 20 years down the road right now? you cant. 5 consecutive vaccines isn't really much considering how much longer I have to be a nurse, like 20 more years!

The flu vaccine also contains polysorbate 80, which has been known to cause reproductive problems, and cancer. How is it safe for us to have things like this being injected into our body? Plus it only protects against certain strains predicted to show up. I know physicians who refuse to take the shot! Obviously there's got to be a reason. I have seen at least 3 or 4 patients in my few years of nursing, that have had gullian-barre, have no idea how they ended up with it. The only correlation is that they had received their flu shot just before that.

As far as the swine flu shot, I guess this year it seems to be somewhat of a combo vaccine from what I understand. Safety once again, is tested for now, but what about 20, 30, even 50 years down the road, will there be residual effects? What about the swine flu outbreak back in the 70's that everyone got vaccinated for back then, there were a lot of residual effects from that shot, which at the time was deemed as safe.

I'm not trying to say flu shots are bad, I see why they can be important. And I know that people get them to keep their patients safe, completely understand. But i care about what I am injecting in my body to do so. I wanna keep myself healthy too, and the substances in the vaccine just don't seem very healthy.

I guess what I am looking for here, is others opinions on this. Your thoughts on whether or not you feel it's safe, and why. Or contrary, why you feel it's not safe. I understand it's potential benefits, but also see a lot of negative things as well. Just wanting to see every aspect :D

It seems like every year there are those who come out opposing the flu shot and those that endorser. I have a few corrections to make. The swine flu shot was not whole sale gotten by everyone. I worked in and for NYS DOH at that time. As a state health care worker, I was required to get the injection. Very few of the hospitals, state wide, required their employees to get the injection. Many of the nursing homes required their staff to get the injection. Their reasoning, which I supported, was that many of their patients would be exposed to the flu by their staff. Given their age and multiple health problems, it is entirely reasonable to require staff to get the injection. As for the danger of getting Gullian Barre Syndrome, given the number of cases that was actually tied to the flu injection and that the mass injections were stopped, it is a red herring.

Last winter we faced a different problem---the pan-endemic of the new strain. Even then, it was only recommended the those that suffered from chronic disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic pulmonary problems, to name a few. get the injection, when it became available. Unfortunately, I suffer from Type II and asthma. I got the shot plus my regular flu shot. I got neither flu, although I spent a week in the hospital between Christmas and New Years Eve, with bacterial pneumonia. My three grandchildren got theirs thur their schools (one also sufferers from asthma, just like her grandma). She got it again this fall. Her parents and I would rather chance some unknown long term effect then lose her to viral pneumonia. If you are concerned about the additives, go to your physician and get the single dose injection-no additives.

No one can be forced to get a vaccination, except the military. All states allow a person to opt out. If you work in a Right to Work state, your employer can terminate you for a refusal if they make it a condition of employment and you refuse. If I still worked, I would get the vaccination. I don't want to be sick. What I shake my head at, is the fact that so many of us are highly educated but rely on poorly constructed, so called studies, to support a bais against vaccinations. We appear to have gotten lazy and rely more and more on the net to information, which can be very, very wrong.

If I have hurt anyone's feelings, I am sorry (really).

GrannyRN65:nurse:

RNCEN

234 Posts

Specializes in ER.

Our hospital requires proof of vaccination, or you cannot come to work/clinical, unless you can provide a religious reason why you cannot have it....and that must be backed up by contact with religious leaders.

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

So, all being healthcare professionals, we are all urged (if not required) to be vaccinated for the flu annually. I completely understand why. I know there is some controversy about flu vaccines and their safety as well though. I know that people just think, well I wanna keep my patients safe, so i'm getting one, without thinking about the possible side effects, if they really do exist. Not saying that I disagree with it, because that's not the case at all, vaccines can really be a good thing, have been proved to have helped millions of people throughout the years.

As far as the controversy goes, I have found multiple sites explaining about the mercury and aluminum content in these vaccines. Some say it's minimal, others say since mercury is so toxic, it's a bad amount. Also same goes with aluminum. Both which have potential to cause neurological problems. I have read MANY studies which show that If you more than 5 consecutive flu vaccines, you have a HUGE increase in chance of developing alzheimers later in life. Thing is, these vaccines are tested and deemed safe right now, but how do you measure side effects 20 years down the road right now? you cant. 5 consecutive vaccines isn't really much considering how much longer I have to be a nurse, like 20 more years!

The flu vaccine also contains polysorbate 80, which has been known to cause reproductive problems, and cancer. How is it safe for us to have things like this being injected into our body? Plus it only protects against certain strains predicted to show up. I know physicians who refuse to take the shot! Obviously there's got to be a reason. I have seen at least 3 or 4 patients in my few years of nursing, that have had gullian-barre, have no idea how they ended up with it. The only correlation is that they had received their flu shot just before that.

As far as the swine flu shot, I guess this year it seems to be somewhat of a combo vaccine from what I understand. Safety once again, is tested for now, but what about 20, 30, even 50 years down the road, will there be residual effects? What about the swine flu outbreak back in the 70's that everyone got vaccinated for back then, there were a lot of residual effects from that shot, which at the time was deemed as safe.

I'm not trying to say flu shots are bad, I see why they can be important. And I know that people get them to keep their patients safe, completely understand. But i care about what I am injecting in my body to do so. I wanna keep myself healthy too, and the substances in the vaccine just don't seem very healthy.

I guess what I am looking for here, is others opinions on this. Your thoughts on whether or not you feel it's safe, and why. Or contrary, why you feel it's not safe. I understand it's potential benefits, but also see a lot of negative things as well. Just wanting to see every aspect :D

If you do want to do some research, look at the difference between methyl mercury and ethyl mercury.

It might not seem like a huge difference until you consider the difference between methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. One carbon group can completely change a substance.

SweettartRN

661 Posts

It's my body, my choice, and my right to not have someone tell me that I "have" to do something.

God gave us an immune system for a reason and I would rather not play around with mine. I don't get vaccines and will not get any in the future either.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I got the flu in high school, and I was miserable for weeks. I've gotten one every year since then. I got the flu once after getting the flu shot. I was miserable for 36 hours, then it was over.

Specializes in Correctional, QA, Geriatrics.

I am old enough to have had most of the childhood illnesses that we now have immunizations for. Believe me I sincerely wish I had had the option of receiving those vaccinations rather than have some visual damage courtesy of the measles, a case of shingles last year courtesy of the chickenpox, ovarian damage courtesy of a case of the mumps at age 14. I also get the flu shot every year for the past 15 years without fail since I have experienced lingering bronchitis requiring multiple bouts of antibiotics or pneumonia resulting in several weeks off work recovering in the years I did not receive the flu shot and developed the flu.

I am a strong advocate of challenge your immune system by not over using antibacterial this and that cleaning products outside of a health care environment. However I do not care to challenge my immune system by experiencing illnesses that have proven serious consquences or outcomes when there exists a tested method of prevention, i.e. immunizations.

Asystole RN

2,352 Posts

They do make preservative free flu vaccines...

CuriousMe

2,642 Posts

It seems like every year there are those who come out opposing the flu shot and those that endorser. I have a few corrections to make. The swine flu shot was not whole sale gotten by everyone. I worked in and for NYS DOH at that time. As a state health care worker, I was required to get the injection. Very few of the hospitals, state wide, required their employees to get the injection. Many of the nursing homes required their staff to get the injection. Their reasoning, which I supported, was that many of their patients would be exposed to the flu by their staff. Given their age and multiple health problems, it is entirely reasonable to require staff to get the injection. As for the danger of getting Gullian Barre Syndrome, given the number of cases that was actually tied to the flu injection and that the mass injections were stopped, it is a red herring.

Last winter we faced a different problem---the pan-endemic of the new strain. Even then, it was only recommended the those that suffered from chronic disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic pulmonary problems, to name a few. get the injection, when it became available. Unfortunately, I suffer from Type II and asthma. I got the shot plus my regular flu shot. I got neither flu, although I spent a week in the hospital between Christmas and New Years Eve, with bacterial pneumonia. My three grandchildren got theirs thur their schools (one also sufferers from asthma, just like her grandma). She got it again this fall. Her parents and I would rather chance some unknown long term effect then lose her to viral pneumonia. If you are concerned about the additives, go to your physician and get the single dose injection-no additives.

No one can be forced to get a vaccination, except the military. All states allow a person to opt out. If you work in a Right to Work state, your employer can terminate you for a refusal if they make it a condition of employment and you refuse. If I still worked, I would get the vaccination. I don't want to be sick. What I shake my head at, is the fact that so many of us are highly educated but rely on poorly constructed, so called studies, to support a bais against vaccinations. We appear to have gotten lazy and rely more and more on the net to information, which can be very, very wrong.

If I have hurt anyone's feelings, I am sorry (really).

GrannyRN65:nurse:

:yeah:

Outstanding post, thank you

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I get my flu shot every year. I believe it is my duty to my community -- especially to all those people I encounter who are immunocompromised and for whom a case of the flu could easilty be fatal.

My employer strictly enforces a mandatory flu shot policy. It also applies to all students who come into the hospitalf for clinical rotations. Exceptions are made rarely -- and anyone granted an exemption must wear a mask at all times when in a patient care area. I support the policy 100%.

The best science supports the use of the flu vaccines ... and that's the best we can do at the moment.

llg, PhD, RN-BC

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