Is your Facility 'forcing' you to get the Flu Vaccine?

Nurses COVID

Published

My company have a new policy that if you do not want to receive the flu vaccine this year by end November, then you have to wear a mask within 6 feet of all patients.

So they are not saying you have to have the flu vaccine but if you don't then you have to wear a mask at all times!

The local hospital was on the news this week saying if staff refuse to get the flu shot then their contract will be terminated. As we work in an at will state then this apparently is legal.

I chose to take the flu shot, but the rest of the staff feel they are being bullied into doing it. For me it is just not possible to wear a mask 24/7 when with the patients.

Specializes in NICU, previously Mother baby.

At the hospital I work at the policy is similar to those above. If we don't get the flu vaccine then we need a documented medical/or other reason for it and you must wear a mask when in patient care areas. I guess I don't understand why we wouldn't be expected to get the flu shot. We take care of patients who are in the hospital for a reason and many are at a higher risk of contracting the flu (among other things). This also helps prevent the spread of the flu to your coworkers if as many get the vaccine as possible. I would get the shot whether it was required or not to protect myself, my coworkers, and my patients.

I had mine this morning. It's a condition of my continued employment.

Specializes in Pedi.

My current employer, no. When I worked in the hospital, for years it was "strongly recommended" and you had to sign a declination form if you didn't want to take it. I declined for 4 years without an issue (although my PCP did convince me to take it one year when I was traveling to Africa- that was when I learned that I react to it) and then last year, they instituted the "flu shot or fired" policy. I took it and had the same reaction I'd had 3 years earlier... fever, severe nausea (fortunately no vomiting because with my chronic medical conditions, that could land me in the hospital), headache. I did enjoy saying (when they called me to pick up an extra shift the day after I got the shot, "No, I'm sick from the flu shot you made me get." After things at said facility became unbearable last fall/winter, I wished that I just hadn't gotten it and let myself get fired... ;)

Specializes in nursing education.
YES.. At my facility, if you do not get your annual flu shot, you do not get your annual merit increase.. :/

Increase of what, pay? I don't remember this concept. I get the flu shot every year, so I'd like a raise, please.

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
Last year we had the mask option, this year that is not a choice. Its flu shot or fired (unless you have a documented religious or medical reason with some long form to fill out).

Its ridiculous.

Do we work at the same place? No more mask this year for the ones who don't want the vaccine here.

I do get the flu shot, but I respect that some don't.

At our nursing school we must have it to get into the program. If we don't get them every year while in school, we are automatically booted out, with very few exceptions. It is unfortunate for those of us who might otherwise choose not to get the flu vaccine, but such is life I guess.

This was such a load of CRAP that we were told! I have NEVER had anything other than a minor cold, got the flu shot had a fever of 104/103 and AST/ALT levels TRIPLED without reason and a nasty rash broke out on my knuckles (read that there is a liver autoimmune issue causing these probs, cleared of that). I didn't take Tylenol for the fever (don't believe in it unless you are in pain; was just hot, achy and TIRED!) or any OTC meds. No reason for my illness. Labs up the wazoo. I blame the flu shot. Ready for more fun with work this winter since I'm assuming we will be required for L&D.

Might I add only half of us got the shot, other half didn't and they were fine. Allowed in clinical and everything.

Specializes in Operating Room, LTAC.

It isn't my facility, but the state where I reside is mandating all healthcare workers that are in contact with patients/providing patient care receive the flu vaccine. I believe the mist, shot, or mask is offered. I received the mist; last time I received the shot (which was my first time) I had flu symptoms for 2 weeks...not a pretty picture.

Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
Whether you receive the flu vaccine or not is protected health information. It could be argued that by requiring you to mask if you have not had the vaccine, your employer is violating your privacy.

Working as an RN lets everyone know you passed the NCLEX. How can we live with this violation of privacy.

Vaccines work. Get the flu shot or go work in another profession but either way, stop whining about it.

Not really. It falls into the same category as requiring you to get other immunizations (e.g. varicella, rubella, mumps, hep C, etc.), tetorifice shot, your annual TB test, etc. They are allowed to establish such things as conditions of employment and have been doing so successfully for decades.

Actually, you can be exempted from mandatory vaccines for religious or medical reasons. You could work shoulder to shoulder with someone who has never had any vaccines. You just wouldn't know it because they don't have to wear or display anything that would make that information public.

While it's true that at-will employers can make all kinds of crazy rules for conditions of employment, facilities with collective bargaining agreements cannot just make new conditions of employment without negotiating with the union first.

And since when did they finally make a vaccine for Hep C? I must have missed the press release.

Working as an RN lets everyone know you passed the NCLEX. How can we live with this violation of privacy.

I was referring to HIPAA's Privacy Rule.

Vaccines work.

Oh really?

From the CDC:

How well the flu vaccine works (or its ability to prevent influenza illness) can range widely from season to season and also can vary depending on who is being vaccinated. At least two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that influenza vaccine will protect a person from influenza illness: 1) characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health), and 2) the similarity or "match" between the influenza viruses in the vaccine and those spreading in the community. During years when the viruses in the vaccine and circulating viruses are not well matched, it’s possible that no benefit from vaccination may be observed. During years when the viruses in the vaccine and circulating viruses are very well matched, it’s possible to measure substantial benefits from vaccination in terms of preventing influenza illness. However, even during years when the vaccine match is very good, the benefits of vaccination will vary across the population, depending on characteristics of the person being vaccinated and even, potentially, which vaccine was used.

Get the flu shot or go work in another profession but either way, stop whining about it.

I don't think those are my only options. ;)

This was such a load of CRAP that we were told! I have NEVER had anything other than a minor cold, got the flu shot had a fever of 104/103 and AST/ALT levels TRIPLED without reason and a nasty rash broke out on my knuckles (read that there is a liver autoimmune issue causing these probs, cleared of that). I didn't take Tylenol for the fever (don't believe in it unless you are in pain; was just hot, achy and TIRED!) or any OTC meds. No reason for my illness. Labs up the wazoo. I blame the flu shot.

I agree. The only years I've gotten sick are the ones I've been forced to get the vaccine for school, so I don't feel it helped. I've also had similar reactions to it as you, but nothing medically emergent so I cannot be exempt from getting it in the future. Our school= very strict about it. There is no getting around it here. Hopefully when I graduate, my future place of work won't have the same rules!

+ Add a Comment