Fighting mandate regarding flu vaccines

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

I have no idea since I cannot imagine why a health care worker wouldn't want to protect him/herself, fellow workers, patients and family members.

dishes, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

If you review the ethical principle of informed consent, then you will see that true informed consent must be free from coercion. If you believe you are being coerced into taking the flu shot, write your own additional comment on the consent form, you can say something along the lines of "I do not agree that the full risks and benefits of receiving this vaccine are fully known at this time. I will accept this vaccination but I only because I fear possible loss of my education and my future career as a nurse" Sign and date it, record the name of the person giving the shot, photocopy it and keep a copy for your personal records, (it is very important that you keep your own copy).

dishes

Blessedx3 · Oct 10, 2009

roser13-As a FNP student--and in general nursing school--we were taught to research and discern information--for ourselves. I found your answer very close minded. I respect anyone's right to take the vaccine--but also understand the possible inconsistencies and side effects from a rushed vaccine. You make it sound as though I purposely would want to endanger my patents and family.

Dishes-thank you...that is a very professional and respectful way to word my disagreement.

allnurses Guide · Oct 10, 2009

If you review the ethical principle of informed consent, then you will see that true informed consent must be free from coercion. If you believe you are being coerced into taking the flu shot, write your own additional comment on the consent form, you can say something along the lines of "I do not agree that the full risks and benefits of receiving this vaccine are fully known at this time. I will accept this vaccination but I only because I fear possible loss of my education and my future career as a nurse" Sign and date it, record the name of the person giving the shot, photocopy it and keep a copy for your personal records, (it is very important that you keep your own copy). dishes

And how, exactly, would that help? You would still have had the vaccine. You would be better off getting a waiver for the vaccine if you really don't want it. Not wanting it because the school tells you to get it, however, is the equivalent of refusing to do something your mother tells you to do, just because she told you.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 10, 2009

Also ... you'll need to investigate the details 0f the school's policy. Are they requiring it of all students, or just those in health care? etc. For example, it may be that the clinical agencies used by the nursing students are requiring immunization. It might not be the school itself that is doing the mandating: they may just be passing the requirements of the clinical agencies onto all the students. If the agencies you personally go to are not requiring it, you might be able to get a waiver. If the agencies require it, then you will have to deal with the agencies, not the school.

D.R.A. · Oct 10, 2009

I don't have any advice, but feel empathy for you. I pray I am not placed in the same position in the future as a Nursing student.....

There is a very thin line between doing something for someones own good and taking away their freedom, imo. Have any of you noted the mandated list of vaccines growing and growing and growing??? I think we need to, at some point, access the premise under which all vaccines are given, and carefully choose those that are to be made mandatory.

dishes, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

And how, exactly, would that help? You would still have had the vaccine. You would be better off getting a waiver for the vaccine if you really don't want it. Not wanting it because the school tells you to get it, however, is the equivalent of refusing to do something your mother tells you to do, just because she told you.

Thank you ghillbert, for pointing out that trying to get a waiver is the first step in fighting a mandate regarding flu vaccines. I did not suggest this in my post because my understanding of a mandated vaccine policy is that it does not allow for exemption based on personal or philosophical beliefs. However, I could be wrong and would clarify this with the school administration, if I was in blessedx3's position.

ghillbert, I am puzzled, what would be the point of school administrators mandating a vaccination but allow waivers? It would make more sense to keep it voluntary.

regards

dishes

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

"I found your answer very close minded."

It may well be. I'm not a very good judge. I have done the research for myself and my family. I also happen to be the wife of a chronic lung patient who would not want my husband to be cared for by anyone who had not taken reasonable precautions.

In the event that my husband had to be hospitalized and I had a choice of institutions, I would jump for joy to find a facility whose employees were all as protected as they could be. Since I, as a patient's wife, could hardly mandate vaccinated health care workers only, it would be a huge measure of reassurance for me.

dishes, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

[color=#333333]i accept that scientists today believe that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks but, i also recognize that vaccines carry significant risks for some people, and that doctors and scientists are not able to identify the individuals who are at risk for vaccine related injury.

[color=#333333]informed consent to medical risk taking is a human right. everyone should have the right to make informed, voluntary vaccination decisions. voluntary vaccinations allow individuals who are at significant risk from severe affects from h1n1 or flu virus to chose to have the vaccine and exemption for those who prefer to make their decision after evidenced based research is published.

[color=#333333]dishes

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

"[color=#333333]everyone should have the right to make informed, voluntary vaccination decisions."

[color=#333333]yes, in america we do. but what is the individual's responsibility in the face of a pandemic?

[color=#333333]do we continue to fight for our 'rights' (just because we can) or do we comply with what may be best (as adjudged by the scientific community) for the whole, i.e. the human race?

[color=#333333]

[color=#333333]bottom line for me as patient/spouse/nurse.....ethics/shmethics....do you what you can to eliminate/reduce risk factors for those you love or those you care for.

Blessedx3 · Oct 11, 2009

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. THis program is online--with clinicals done in your hometown--a couple of times on campus. So-clinicals are all over the country-East to West--It isn't that particular places require the vaccine--as there are too many facilities to consider. Only the healthcare students are being mandated. I have some neurologic issues--and just do NOT want to assume any more risk of Guillian-Barre than I need to. To penalize me-via administrative withdrawal--is a violation of First amendment rights. We will see where I get with the school. You may see an Alabama revolt as you did with the New York nurses.. Thanks again.