Flu Shot = Sick

allnurses Guide · Nov 28, 2017

Most jobs in healthcare are now requiring flu shots unless you can prove you already had guillain barre or anaphylaxis from a previous flu shot. The govt is spurring hospitals to go ahead and force everyone to get to over 90% of us vaccinated. Voluntary programs didn't work because many of us don't want the flu shot and know about the rare but serious side effect of guillain barre! It will be the rare place that doesn't force you to get the flu shot. Every hospital in my city requires it in order to work.

There has only been one flu shot that showed a very small increase in GBS related to getting the flu vaccine, and that was the swine flu vaccine in 1976. There hasn't ever been shown to be increased incidence of GBS before or since r/t the flu vaccine. You are much more likely to get GBS from getting infected with influenza then you ever will be from the flu vaccine.

Guillain-Barre syndrome and Flu Vaccine | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2017

I understand that many people report feeling sick after the vaccine. The fact is.. getting the flu shot is a mandatory requirement to continue in the program. Even a documented allergy will not relieve you of this requirement. You may have the option of wearing a mask.. during patient care.

I work from home.. and I am still mandated to get the vaccine. Pick your battles.

Best wishes.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2017

At my hospital, we make no exceptions. No flu shot = no job. No masks, no exemptions for religion or previous reactions or illness.

What we have found over the last several years of living with this policy is that almost everyone can get the vaccine. There is an egg free version for people with severe egg allergies. There is an intra-dermal version with a different formulation that some "sensitive" people can take. And others who are worried can get their shots in their allergists office and stay for a while in case an allergic reaction develops. As I said, we have found that the number of people who absolutely cannot get the vaccine is extremely low. Those very rare people simply have to work somewhere else, with a population that is less vulnerable than ours.

allnurses Guide · Nov 30, 2017

You need to write that up and publish the results!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2017

Just an aside (and in no way considered medical advice): The beloved (also a nurse) has a crazy competent immune system AND weird things happen when he gets vaccines. He swears he can taste metal immediately after an immunization. Last year, no flu vaccine - and he got the flu. This year I talked him into getting a preservative free (single dose) flu vaccine - and no reaction. None. His body does not like the preservatives in the vaccines, apparently.

Good luck.

JoeBa · Feb 2, 2018

I know everyone claims the shot does not make you sick, HOWEVER, this year 10 people I know got the shot and 9 of them got deathly ill the following day. My father got so sick from it he was hospitalized and we almost lost him. I think it may be time to do some third party comprehensive testing on this factor. And no my father does not have even a mild egg allergy, he is on some meds having recently had some skin cancer removed from the top of his head and behind his ear, but that would not account for my mother who was bed ridden for 4 days with every symptom of the flu.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Feb 2, 2018

I know everyone claims the shot does not make you sick, HOWEVER, this year 10 people I know got the shot and 9 of them got deathly ill the following day. My father got so sick from it he was hospitalized and we almost lost him. I think it may be time to do some third party comprehensive testing on this factor. And no my father does not have even a mild egg allergy, he is on some meds having recently had some skin cancer removed from the top of his head and behind his ear, but that would not account for my mother who was bed ridden for 4 days with every symptom of the flu.

The flu vaccine is not 100% effective, and does not cover every strain. We know this. We have known this for a long, long time. There has been ample 'third party testing' and it does not change the facts.

No conspiracy- just facts. You know, science.

peripateticRN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2018

Just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see so many appropriate, educated and scientifically based responses to this question. As a Pro-flu shot Public health nurse I see WAY too many threads on this site bashing the vaccine with ill-advised 'facts' and blatant fiction.

Yes the vaccine isn't perfect, but even if it's only (say) 20% effective... isn't that still better than no protection?

Thank you all for redeeming my faith in the profession

kimpossible4real · Mar 10, 2018

It can be challenging especially when it is mandatory.

HelpfulNatureHopeful · Jan 13, 2020

Vaccines don’t cause the flu. They don’t have any negative side effects unless you have an allergy to the materials in it. Just get the flu vaccine and stop trying to beat the system ?

Trinam2006 · Dec 7, 2020

Some states allow religious or philosophical exemptions

On 1/12/2020 at 8:33 PM, HelpfulNatureHopeful said:

Vaccines don’t cause the flu. They don’t have any negative side effects unless you have an allergy to the materials in it. Just get the flu vaccine and stop trying to beat the system ?

This is inaccurate. Have you ever read the insert that comes in the box?

Trinam2006 · Dec 7, 2020

On 2/2/2018 at 11:07 PM, peripateticRN said:

Just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see so many appropriate, educated and scientifically based responses to this question. As a Pro-flu shot Public health nurse I see WAY too many threads on this site bashing the vaccine with ill-advised 'facts' and blatant fiction.

Yes the vaccine isn't perfect, but even if it's only (say) 20% effective... isn't that still better than no protection?

Thank you all for redeeming my faith in the profession

If its only 20% effective at reducing sx (because we all know it does not stop the transmission), what's the big push if not to benefit the hospitals to keep their staff from taking sick days? It does nothing to protect the patients.