Are you forced to get Immunizations?

RNONC3048 · Jan 12, 2010

HCA required all staff to get seasonal flu vaccine or wear a mask while on duty--H1N1 vaccine was encouraged but not mandatory.

HighNursingGoals · Jan 12, 2010

Thanks. I've already been vaccinated once for college. I just don't want to have to repeat them. Either way, I want to go to nursing school and get employed afterwards. I'll get the ones that are required, but not the optional ones. I don't think the flu shot is necessary for me. 2006 was the only year I ever had the flu. I don't blame the flu shot since I was around someone who had the flu prior to getting the shot anyway. Thanks again for the feedback.

elkpark · Jan 12, 2010

In my experience, healthcare employers offer vaccines to employees but don't require them. Typically, if you don't want the vaccine, they require you to sign a form saying that you're declining the vaccination and understand all the risks and implications of doing so.

I never take flu shots (including H1N1 this year), and I've never had an employer give me a hard time about that. They just remind you to complete the declination form and turn it in. I had the Hep B series when it was new (and was happy to get it), but I've worked for employers that would (even) allow people to decline the Hep B series -- they just made you sign a form saying that you understood the risks and that your employee health insurance wouldn't cover treatment for Hep B if you caught it (after turning down the free vaccination).

thequestionguy007 · Jan 13, 2010

It is going to be difficult for anyone to try to make you get immunizationsonce you shield yourself with a religious exemption. Nobody wants to open that can of worms. Very easily done using Education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933. If they really want to go against law all I would just say "the ball is in your court". Also every employer will have in their employee handbook that they will not go against your religious beliefs ( or something like that). Just like the school they will not want to open that can or worms. I am very well versed in this field.

kcochrane · Jan 15, 2010

It is going to be difficult for anyone to try to make you get immunizationsonce you shield yourself with a religious exemption. Nobody wants to open that can of worms. Very easily done using Education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933. If they really want to go against law all I would just say "the ball is in your court". Also every employer will have in their employee handbook that they will not go against your religious beliefs ( or something like that). Just like the school they will not want to open that can or worms. I am very well versed in this field.

Do you have a link to this? I think it might be hard to claim religious exemption if 1. Your religion does not prohibit vaccination or 2. You are someone that does not associate with any certain religion. But I would have to see what you are referring to.

The fact is that nursing schools do not force you or make you get a vaccine if you don't want it. But they can require it for entry into that program. It is not like a K-12 where everyone is given a right to that education. Nursing schools screen and eliminate many people that they feel cannot make the grade. I think by the time you fought this, it just wouldn't be worth it for the OP. Sounds like she just doesn't want to be re-vaxed again or vaxed with something that isn't required.

shebbie · Jan 15, 2010

my employer has never made it mandatory but this year they did apply a little more pressure. if you are off work with the flu and took the flu shot you will get your sick pay back.

RNONC3048 · Jan 15, 2010

Again, HCA does not force you to get vaccinated; simply dictates that you must wear a mask while working if you deline...this was for seasonal flu...I believe NYS Supreme Court has held that H1N1 cannot be forced on staff.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 15, 2010

My employer made seasonal and H1N1 vaccination mandatory for all staff and students this year. Staff members who refused were terminated (or voluntarily resigned to keep the termination off their records.)

Students who choose not to protect our patients and staff from the flu by getting vaccinated are not allowed access to our patients. No exceptions have been made -- or requested by the schools.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jan 15, 2010

No one can legally force you to get a shot. Hospitals can make rule for what happens if you do not get one. Like wearing a mask for the entire flu season.

thequestionguy007 · Jan 16, 2010

http://www.nvic.org/vaccine-laws/state-vaccine-requirements/texas.aspx. education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933 (d) (1) (b) an affidavit signed by the applicant or, if a minor, by the applicant's parent or guardian stating that the applicant declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief;. [color=#3b3bae]title 3. higher education. [color=#3b3bae]title 2. public education k-12. when you deal with an employer then you deal with the employee handbook. that is where you find religious exemption they wont ask which religion because it doesn't matter. it is in every company policy handbook they don't discriminate against anyone due to religious beliefs or they can be sued.[color=#3b3bae]

kcochrane · Jan 24, 2010

www.nvic.org/vaccine-laws/state-vaccine-requirements/texas.aspx. education code title 3 chapter 51. 51.933 (d) (1) (b) an affidavit signed by the applicant or, if a minor, by the applicant's parent or guardian stating that the applicant declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief;. [color=#3b3bae]title 3. higher education. [color=#3b3bae]title 2. public education k-12. when you deal with an employer then you deal with the employee handbook. that is where you find religious exemption they wont ask which religion because it doesn't matter. it is in every company policy handbook they don't discriminate against anyone due to religious beliefs or they can be sued.

i see this is from texas. new york state is one the most difficult state to get a religious exemption. so it may be just that easy in your state, but i have to assume it isn't in this state. so i would caution anyone to be careful when trying to use this fight. i have yet to see anyone use it successfully.

let's remember that entry into nursing school is a selective process and even if it is as easy as you state, it is very possible that the school will not want to deal with you and dismiss your application for "other reasons". that would be very hard to fight or prove. they could come up with many other reasons why you didn't get selected and never touch on the vaccine issue. they have hundreds of other applicants willing to comply waiting to get in, so no great loss to them.

nursing schools usually base their vaccination requirements on the clinical sites they use. since they are guests, they are not going to cause a fuss in refusing to follow those rules. it is hard to get good clinical sites and they are not going to lose them once they get them.

i'm not saying you are wrong or that people shouldn't stand up for their rights. but i think reality is reality and someone should think long and hard about what they are doing. if it is a medical issue, then that is a whole other issue.

i see you were considering nursing school. did you decide to go forward? were you able to get away without getting vaccination. i would love to hear from someone that was able to.

thanks for the great conversation and good luck on whatever you do.

cocoon2butterfly · Feb 3, 2010

Hmm...they couldn't make you, I mean, suppose you're allergic to them...(i.e. flu shot = eggs)?

I have nothing against vaccines, but since every time I get one (flu or otherwise), I end up running a 101-102 fever...people tend to understand why I say no...I have nothing against them, but my system just can't handle them, I guess...