Are you forced to get Immunizations?

Lylesmom · Jan 12, 2010

The hospital I work in tried to make it mandotory for everyone to get the Flu shot this season. We had a lot of people filed complaints with our union about it violating their personal rights.

Perpetual Student · Jan 12, 2010

1st, you can't get the flu from the flu shot. 2nd, yes, you're required to get immunized, even just to go to school. Many clinical sites will not allow you to train there without being immunized.

A lot of places don't require annual flu vaccines (my agency doesn't), but in order to get through school you'll need to have either + titers or vaccine records for MMR, Hep B, and select others depending on institutional policy.

I don't really feel like getting in a debate, but vaccines are generally safe. If you want to become a nurse you're going to have to take the very minuscule chance of an adverse event from vaccination. The benefits outweigh the risks, especially for things such as Hepatitis B.

topic · Jan 12, 2010

The employer can't necessarily force you, but they can make it company policy that all employees must get certain vaccinations.

caliotter3 · Jan 12, 2010

The employer can't necessarily force you, but they can make it company policy that all employees must get certain vaccinations.

.......if they want to become or remain employees. This is the catch for just about any requirement.

HighNursingGoals · Jan 12, 2010

I thought so, but I wasn't too sure. Thanks to all who responded.

Mikessa · Jan 12, 2010

I cant register for classes at Bozeman without my immunizations. I have to take them all over again because my childhood records are impossible to obtain.

allnurses Guide · Jan 12, 2010

You can get blood titer levels drawn to avoid revaccinating if you're already immune.

You can't get the flu from the flu shot, you must have already had it when you got the shot.

You don't have to get vaccinations. They don't have to employ you.

cute2 · Jan 12, 2010

I have also read that getting some of the vac's you had as a child over again as an adult are not harmful.

kcochrane · Jan 12, 2010

Just to add on to what everyone else said. The reason you can't get the flu from the vaccine is because the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated (killed). Even with the nasal spray they are weakened and cannot cause the flu. You were either already exposed before you got the vaccine, or the vaccine did not have enough time to work (about 2 weeks) and you were exposed after the vaccine. It is possible you got another strain because the annual vaccine only containes about 3-4 strains that they believe will hit the US.

You cannot be forced to get any vaccine, but an employer can require you to get one or prove you have the titire in order to get hired. In this area the flu vaccine is optional as well as the H1N1. Any other vaccine that is required requires proof of immunization or the facility will do a titre. I just had one done for my MMR, since mine was done so long ago.

I've been vaccinated twice - once as a child and again in the military. The military does not take any proof and just vaccinates again. As far as I know, I'm ok.

The only thing you can do is check the schools and facilities that you might was to go to and see what their policy is.

thequestionguy007 · Jan 12, 2010

You can't be forced to get immunization for school. See Education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933 Immunization Requirements; Exceptions: subsection (d)(1)(B).Hope this helps.

Perpetual Student · Jan 12, 2010

You can't be forced to get immunization for school. See Education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933 Immunization Requirements; Exceptions: subsection (d)(1)(B).Hope this helps.

You effectively can be required to be immunized. In order to graduate from a nursing program you can be required to do clinical training. Clinical sites can impose immunization requirements on students, and if you cannot meet the requirements of the clinical sites your school uses you won't be able to meet the requirements for a degree.