Are there any nurses that are not vaccinated? How to prepare to be safe at work?

[PrettyNerd]

So I wanted to come on here because I've been thinking about something and it has kinda taken away my excitement.

So I haven't worked in 2 years and I haven't really had a hands-on, bedside care nursing experience since I graduated nursing school 5 years ago. So last year I didn't work at all because of the pandemic and since I don't have any real nursing experience, I didn't want to start during a pandemic, I didn't feel I was ready for that. I was really scared. So now that (I thought) the pandemic is slowing down I wanted to start looking for a job, I applied for a CNA position at a SNF I used to work at, at least to start working again. Surprisingly they are looking for an LPN for part time. I was so excited because I thought it would be a lot better now since everything is slowing down. However, they asked me if I am vaccinated and I said no. I had set my mind to not get the vaccine but now that I got this job I feel bad if I'm the only person that doesn't have the vaccine. I don't want to get anyone sick and I would feel bad if I'm the only one unvaccinated because I don't want people to not trust me. I don't know how bad it is at SNFs but I feel a little stressed now, and I was honestly excited to FINALLY get an LPN job after 5 years of graduating. I've also been hearing about this new variant virus, which sucks because I thought we were close to the end of the pandemic. I've not been keeping up with the news because honestly I get a lot of anxiety over the virus and it discourages me from looking for a job and I really want to get back to work. I don't participate in risky behavior like going out and not wearing a mask. I didn't get sick at all last year and I pretty much just stay home.

My question is: Are there any nurses out there that are working and are not vaccinated?

Also, what can I do to be safe at work? Is there anything I should bring with me, like disinfecting wipes, spray... 

Also, curious question, did anyone NOT get sick last year?

Thank you!

[guest1178273]

3 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:

We understand that you think that...you simply haven't offered any facts or evidence which supports the notion that there is cause to be so concerned that vaccination should be delayed or avoided. You are afraid that there might be long term issues with safety without good reason to be concerned. You've offered some information that concerns you but that information doesn't actually sound an alarm for people to be hesitant about vaccinating. 

I've suggested what might be questionable with long term efficacy, as well as safety of the vaccine. I don't have "facts or evidence to support the notion that there is cause to be concerned", but I also don't have evidence to the contrary because not enough time has passed to know what will happen down the road. You and I have gone down this road before. Let's stop. You are welcome to not reply to my posts. 

[kitsune01, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, underpressure said:

Why do you think the mRNA vaccines are special in this regard? We've never used mRNA vaccines before. That's why. 

 

 

But why do you think they would behave any differently from the other 6 odd forms of vaccines we use already, NONE of which have serious side effects that show up months or years later. What about the way they work gives you cause for concern?

[toomuchbaloney]

On 7/23/2021 at 1:21 PM, underpressure said:

I've suggested what might be questionable with long term efficacy, as well as safety of the vaccine. I don't have "facts or evidence to support the notion that there is cause to be concerned", but I also don't have evidence to the contrary because not enough time has passed to know what will happen down the road. You and I have gone down this road before. Let's stop. You are welcome to not reply to my posts. 

I'm also just as welcome to reply as I prefer.  Similarly, you are welcome to stop posting your vague and unfounded fears during a time when it is in the public interest for more people to vaccinate not for more people to develop odd questions and concerns. 

I'll stop pushing back against unfounded fears when you stop sharing them publicly. 

[macawake, MSN]

32 minutes ago, klone said:

Unless the entire family had a weird genetic mutation. See? They thought I was being a smartass. I was being serious. Sort of. 

I get it. I was thinking the same thing, which is why I wrote in my first post in response to her post that a cluster of serious side effects like that in a single family would be bound to interest researchers. It would definitely warrant some investigating (in my opinion).

 

Klone, something weird just happened to your post that I just now quoted and responded to. Now it looks like I said what you wrote in your post, and it didn’t look like that a couple of minutes ago. The AN quote Gremlins strike again ?

[guest1178273]

1 minute ago, kitsune01 said:

But why do you think they would behave any differently from the other 6 odd forms of vaccines we use already, NONE of which have serious side effects that show up months or years later. What about the way they work gives you cause for concern?

Because they ARE different. 

We don't have evidence yet that the amount of mRNA reaching the immune system is efficacious, nor do we know if the mRNA delivery system (nano lipid particle) has any negative side effects yet. It may take more time to know.

 

 

[Avilag90]

You do you. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about not getting the vaccine. If you decide to go back just make sure you’re safe and using all your PPE!

I’m not vaccinated and don’t plan on getting it. I often get crap for it but guess what its my choice! 

I was hoping to see better responses on this post but was super disappointed with what I was reading. I’m sorry! Stay strong, stay safe, and remember don’t let anyone push you into doing something your not comfortable with! 

[kitsune01, BSN, RN]

30 minutes ago, underpressure said:

Because they ARE different. 

We don't have evidence yet that the amount of mRNA reaching the immune system is efficacious, nor do we know if the mRNA delivery system (nano lipid particle) has any negative side effects yet. It may take more time to know.

 

 

Not efficacious? So basically you are saying both Pfizer and Moderna faked their phase 3 clinical trial data, and also that Pfizer and/or the Israeli health service doctored the massive dataset that israel has been providing Pfizer in return for priority vaccine access early on which gave efficacy comparable to that shown in the trials. As well as all the data from everywhere those vaccines have been rolled out since then? That is one hell of a conspiracy rabbit hole right there. 

As far as the lipid carriers, why would you expect a tiny amount of something that is quickly broken down by the body to cause long term problems that don’t show up right away? You do realize that both the Pfizer and moderna lipid particles were developed years before, not magically put together on the fly last March. They have been tested in animals just like any other drug component. From what I understand they are believed to be partly responsible for the strong innate immune response that those vaccines can provoke, acting incidentally as a form of adjuvant, but that’s a) not a bad thing, and b) not something that would somehow lead to long term problems.
Again, this may have been a reasonable concern back in January but there have been no serious issues found related to the lipid particles in the last 7 months. The only thing I know of that has been theoretically linked to them is a very very rare, benign rash that shows up about a week after the moderna vaccine only.

 

[macawake, MSN]

33 minutes ago, kitsune01 said:

Not efficacious? So basically you are saying both Pfizer and Moderna faked their phase 3 clinical trial data, and also that Pfizer and/or the Israeli health service doctored the massive dataset that israel has been providing Pfizer in return for priority vaccine access early on which gave efficacy comparable to that shown in the trials. As well as all the data from everywhere those vaccines have been rolled out since then? That is one hell of a conspiracy rabbit hole right there. 

The vaccines are definitely effective ?? We’ve already covered this in the nanoparticle thread and I thought we all agreed that the mRNA vaccines are effective. Frankly, I was a bit surprised to see the claim repeated in this thread. I have no idea why underpressure brought this up again.

Underpressure, why are you bringing this up again? The vaccines do the job they’re supposed to. 
 

Kitsune01, definitely agree with your assessment on the lipid carriers. 

[macawake, MSN]

38 minutes ago, Avilag90 said:

You do you. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about not getting the vaccine. If you decide to go back just make sure you’re safe and using all your PPE!

I’m not vaccinated and don’t plan on getting it. I often get crap for it but guess what its my choice! 

I was hoping to see better responses on this post but was super disappointed with what I was reading. I’m sorry! Stay strong, stay safe, and remember don’t let anyone push you into doing something your not comfortable with! 

You were ”super disappointed” with the replies? Several posters have tried to help OP with information and facts. OP expressed that s/he hadn’t worked at all during the pandemic. S/he stated that s/he doesn’t want to make anyone sick, is very concerned about the new variant and that s/he avoids watching the news because s/he feels so much anxiety about the virus. OP also said that the anxiety discourages her/him from looking for a job despite wanting to get back to work.

The advice you offer is to stay safe and use PPE. I’m assuming that PPE was available six months ago as well, but OP still didn’t choose to find a job. It sounds like OP has felt a great deal of anxiety about the virus/pandemic and it appears to have affected her/his career decisions. OP is the only one who can make the choice, but it seems to me that a vaccine would address more of her/his concerns, than merely using PPE.

Is your reply really about OP, or is it more about your own feelings about the vaccine? 

[kitsune01, BSN, RN]

As a tangent I hope that everyone on this thread who is like “I’m not antivax, mRNA vaccines are just too NEW AND SCARY” is planning on rolling up their sleeves for the novavax shot whenever it becomes available, because if I remember correctly that one is a recombinant protein subunit vax  (not new) with a variant on a standard class of adjuvants (not new). Otherwise I’m going to give your “not an antivaxxer” protestations the side eye 

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

59 minutes ago, macawake said:

You were ”super disappointed” with the replies? Several posters have tried to help OP with information and facts. OP expressed that s/he hadn’t worked at all during the pandemic. S/he stated that s/he doesn’t want to make anyone sick, is very concerned about the new variant and that s/he avoids watching the news because s/he feels so much anxiety about the virus. OP also said that the anxiety discourages her/him from looking for a job despite wanting to get back to work.

The advice you offer is to stay safe and use PPE. I’m assuming that PPE was available six months ago as well, but OP still didn’t choose to find a job. It sounds like OP has felt a great deal of anxiety about the virus/pandemic and it appears to have affected her/his career decisions. OP is the only one who can make the choice, but it seems to me that a vaccine would address more of her/his concerns, than merely using PPE.

Is your reply really about OP, or is it more about your own feelings about the vaccine? 

OP asked about not being vaccinated and staying safe at work. Yet she only got that info from a few people and 3 of you going heavy at anyone having concerns about mrna vaccine. This genetic material vaccine is new...never used in a vaccine and anyone being hesitant I don't blame them there is not much know plus it also may have some influence in genetic system. Several coworkers of mine have had absent or irregular periods since getting this vacc. Another friend of mine has been advised against the vacc by her MD as it may have some component similar to birth control and can cause her a brain blood clot which she had years ago due to birth control. Also certain populations and young children are not to have this vacc yet due to unknown safety for them. Anyone with concerns should not be ridiculed. And OP asking for how to keep self and others safe while not vacced is valid question.

Trusting the vacc just because "science" doesn't make alot of sense as if science cannot be used for ulterior motives.

[macawake, MSN]

57 minutes ago, estrellaCR said:

OP asked about not being vaccinated and staying safe at work. Yet she only got that info from a few people and 3 of you going heavy at anyone having concerns about mrna vaccine. This genetic material vaccine is new...never used in a vaccine and anyone being hesitant I don't blame them there is not much know plus it also may have some influence in genetic system. Several coworkers of mine have had absent or irregular periods since getting this vacc. Another friend of mine has been advised against the vacc by her MD as it may have some component similar to birth control and can cause her a brain blood clot which she had years ago due to birth control. Also certain populations and young children are not to have this vacc yet due to unknown safety for them. Anyone with concerns should not be ridiculed. And OP asking for how to keep self and others safe while not vacced is valid question.

Trusting the vacc just because "science" doesn't make alot of sense as if science cannot be used for ulterior motives.

I seriously doubt that a medical doctor has said there ”might be some component similar to birth control” in the vaccines. If a medical doctor has actually said that, he or she should ask to have their tuition fees refunded. Epic fail. 

The fact that we don’t give the vaccines to younger children just proves that the system works. There isn’t enough safety data available yet because it hasn’t been studied sufficiently for that age group. You shouldn’t take that to mean that it’s unsafe for the groups that it has been approved (EUA) for. 

The ”genetic system” will definitely not be affected by the vaccines.

No, people with concerns aren’t being ridiculed. People who spread information that is not true or speculate about side effects that are not in evidence, do get called out on it. Make no mistake. If the misinformation, lies, concerns not supported by facts makes a single person who might otherwise have gotten vaccinated , decline the vaccine, then that fearmongering may well result in real life harm. This is why people who spread falsehoods about vaccines on a nursing forum should expect to be met by resistance.