Forced to get flu shot or wear a mask

Published

Recently I heard our hospital will be forcing everyone to get a flu shot or they will have to wear a mask for their entire shift. I have had a reaction to it and usually just boost my immune system during flu season and this works well. I was told that even if we have had a reaction in the past and still don't get it, we wear a mask. This does not sit well with many of us at the hospital. Was wondering if others have experienced this and what they did.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
The association of Guillain-Barre syndrome is higher with actual influenza infection than it is with flu vaccine.

Thank you!

The cases of GB that I have encountered are from getting Influenza B.

I had flu A last flu season...had a lot of kids that came in with flu A then B then A/B. I the vaccine helped me recover in 5 days versus the 14 for my fiancé.

He is getting the flu shot this year. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just wear the mask. If you had a reaction, then you should avoid the flu shot, but don't jeopardize a patient's health because you don't want to wear the mask.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Whatever the hospital is planning is for your good. Wear a mask and you'll get habituated to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Regarding Dr. Robert Sears, mentioned earlier in this thread:

Famous anti-vaxx doctor Robert Sears will be fighting to retain his medical license after the Medical Board of California announced last week that it was moving to revoke it.

So when the Medical Board of California announced last week that it was moving to pull the Orange County pediatrician's medical license, it immediately set the stage for a new battle in the long-running fight over whether schoolchildren should be vaccinated.

At the heart of the case is whether Sears used sound medical practices when he wrote a doctor's note for a 2-year-old boy, saying he should have no more routine childhood vaccines for the duration of his childhood.” In its six-page accusation, the medical board said Sears made that conclusion without obtaining even basic medical information, such as a detailed history of vaccines the boy previously received and any reactions that occurred, before deciding to recommend against future immunizations.

California wants to pull this doctor's license. Here's how it's sparked a new battle over child vaccinations - LA Times

Here is the actual complaint. Plaintiff Kimberly Kirchmeyer is the Executive Director of the Medical Board.

http://documents.latimes.com/medical-board-accusation-against-dr-robert-sears/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I shudder to think about my crunchier mom groups discussing this. I'm sure the words 'plot' and 'big pharma' will pop up in there. Ugh.

Regarding Dr. Robert Sears, mentioned earlier in this thread:

Famous anti-vaxx doctor Robert Sears will be fighting to retain his medical license after the Medical Board of California announced last week that it was moving to revoke it.

California wants to pull this doctor's license. Here's how it's sparked a new battle over child vaccinations - LA Times

Here is the actual complaint. Plaintiff Kimberly Kirchmeyer is the Executive Director of the Medical Board.

http://documents.latimes.com/medical-board-accusation-against-dr-robert-sears/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

From Skeptical OB on FB:

Apparently there's no limit to the gullibility and stupidity of anti-vaxxers!

Just send money directly to his personal checking account!! As if those payments for vaccine exemptions and pseudoscience books haven't made him rich.

#StandWithSears – Community Support for Dr. Sears as he faces accusations from the California Medical Board

"I actually love how he stresses this is a gift and not a donation. Ya know....so he doesn't have to pay any taxes on the money he receives"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Well there is alway ultraviolet blood treatment, UVB........

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Hey I support flu vaccination and find "boost your immune system" scams to be infuriating, but

The immune system is more complex than quantum physics and thermodynamics combined.

No. Just... I get your point, but don't even go there.

Studies of concentration camps (WW II in Europe) showed that when epidemics of contagious diseases,i.e., measles, swept through the camps the inmates survived better than the relatively well fed, well clothed, guards!

Source??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Studies of concentration camps (WW II in Europe) showed that when epidemics of contagious diseases,i.e., measles, swept through the camps the inmates survived better than the relatively well fed, well clothed, guards!

My source is Dr. Dean Edell, and I know I badly paraphrased him. He had a radio talk show. He loved to read arcane research studies, peruse all the various medical journals for tidbits of odd interesting research studies. He was a very early voice in the wilderness that medical studies proved over and over that vaccines had nothing to do with autism.

He was responding to a caller who wanted to "boost her immune system". Trying to explain to a lay person how complicated the immune system is.

I couldn't find any other source, where he might have gotten his information from? Sadly he has been off the air for many years. I used to plan my day around being able listen to him when his show was on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Studies of concentration camps (WW II in Europe) showed that when epidemics of contagious diseases,i.e., measles, swept through the camps the inmates survived better than the relatively well fed, well clothed, guards!

My source is Dr. Dean Edell, and I know I badly paraphrased him. He had a radio talk show. He loved to read arcane research studies, peruse all the various medical journals for tidbits of odd interesting research studies. He was a very early voice in the wilderness that medical studies proved over and over that vaccines had nothing to do with autism.

He was responding to a caller who wanted to "boost her immune system". Trying to explain to a lay person how complicated the immune system is.

I couldn't find any other source, where he might have gotten his information from? Sadly he has been off the air for many years. I used to plan my day around being able listen to him when his show was on.

I think the problem is that you're thinking of the wrong war, the wrong concentration camps, the wrong area of the world, and an entirely different set of conclusions based on something entirely different lol! but otherwise I'm sure it's exactly the same. sorry, there goes my tongue in cheek again lol!

http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/html/242-1750-3-PB.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I could not read your whole article. I certainly could misremember what war or prision of war camp it was? However if the study came to a completely different conclusion than I can't believe I got that so mixed up?????

I am pretty sure the Dr's whole point was that research/studies showed poorly fed, poorly clothed inmates fared better than the guards during measles epidemics. I can't believe I got the whole point of what he said wrong?

The Dr. does admit these are one time studies or findings, very early results, more research is needed. Not long term trials (obviously were not going to subject people to no food, no clothing, harsh conditions and exposed them to measles to see what happens). I do stand by my interpretation that we do not understand all the ramifications of the immune system.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it's been mandatory for me for at least three years. I don't have a reaction and I don't care. I just get the shot and show'em the proof. I cannot go around for four months wearing a mask.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion