Mandatory Vaccination

Guests · Nov 21, 2018

would someone please provide the stats that back up getting the flu shot, TIA.

There are dozens of studies published every year on VE of the influenza vaccine ranging from interim updates on the current season to large meta-analyses to international studies to VE in specific populations. You can take your pick.

Start with this one though, because it has implications for this forum:

Two hundred twelve of 215 surveys were completed. The overall influenza vaccination rate was 73%. Physician staff were significantly more likely to have been vaccinated compared with nursing staff (82% vs 62%, respectively; P = .0009). HCWs answering the 5 influenza vaccine basic knowledge questions correctly were significantly more likely to have been vaccinated than those responding incorrectly to any question (84% vs 64%, respectively; P = .002). This association was present in the nursing group where 80% of those answering the knowledge questions correctly were vaccinated, but only 49% of those answering incorrectly were vaccinated (P = .000005). However, in the physician group, there was no significant difference in the influenza vaccination rates between those answering correctly and those answering incorrectly (P = .459).

Martinello, R. A., Jones, L., & Topal, J. E. (2003). Correlation between healthcare workers' knowledge of influenza vaccine and vaccine receipt. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 24(11), 845-847.

elkpark · Nov 21, 2018

citations, Muno, citations.

There are multiple existing "Flu Wars" threads here with citations and references out the wazoo, if you're actually interested and not just looking to argue.

37changes, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

Why can't we have the normal emojis. I just want the one with the little laugh-y tear coming out of each eye. Not the obnoxious green rolly thing.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Does it work to use it from your phone?

Edit: Haha, nope! But now I know what it means when those question marks show up like that!

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

Boy. Antibiotics aren't 100% effective, and they most assuredly can cause adverse consequences. Why aren't more people "Anti-bioticers"?? (provides a nice play on words, doesn't it?) :cheeky:

osceteacher · Nov 21, 2018

I find it an overstep of power and it should be an incentivised choice.

I think anti-vaccine people are morons, but I also do not agree with forcing them to have the flu shot.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Nov 21, 2018

Many hospitals mandate their nurses to receive influenza vaccinations each year during flu season. Those who decline are forced to wear a mask while at work during the season. For those who cannot get the vaccine (for example, those who are allergic to ingredients), this seems like unfair punishment for something that they did not choose!
I can understand mandating nurses who decline, because in my opinion, it is an incentive for the staff to receive the vaccine. However, for those who wish that they are able to be vaccinated, this seems like undue punishment! I know it is for their protection, but in my opinion, they should have the right to make that decision on their own.
What are your thoughts on this?

The problem here is that you're making this all about yourself, rather than the patients. If you are a nurse, you're obligated to reduce preventable harm to patients, some of whom might have impaired immune response or prone to serious respiratory infections. Healthcare staff provide direct care to numerous patients in any given shift and can pass the flu to other staff, and infection can exponentially multiply quickly. If you cannot receive a flu vaccine, the next best thing is to wear a mask.

You do not have to choose to work in healthcare. Most other careers do not have such requirement. I worked in finance and if I went into work sick, most coworkers would stay away. I wasn't required to get close to them and I could just hide in my cubical all day and still do my work no problem.

Flatline, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

I find it an overstep of power and it should be an incentivised choice.
I think anti-vaccine people are morons, but I also do not agree with forcing them to have the flu shot.

Overstep of who's power?

An employer can mandate you wear clown shoes and butterfly wings, they are businesses. I know of hospitals that have a zero nicotine policy and actually test for it. Their company, their right, their prerogative. Same as you having the free will mandate certain behavior in your home.

Now as far as I know there are no states that make it illegal to not vaccinate. Yes, there are some that will limit your participation in certain public events like school but that is different from making it illegal.

Guests · Nov 21, 2018

Now as far as I know there are no states that make it illegal to not vaccinate.

I recalled that there were a couple of other countries that had passed laws about vaccinations, so when I did a quick search for that info, if found this image. What do we think of this injection technique??

attachment.php?attachmentid=27938&stc=1

FawkesFyre · Nov 21, 2018

Point of information: It is highly recommended that pregnant women get the flu vaccine. It is definitely not an exemption.

Flatline, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

I recalled that there were a couple of other countries that had passed laws about vaccinations, so when I did a quick search for that info, if found this image. What do we think of this injection technique??

I would bet good money it is a staged photo and there is no needle. Either that or I hope she is giving Fluzone or something.

MunoRN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

citations, Muno, citations.

Belshe RB, Mendelman PM, Treanor, et al. The efficacy of live attenuated, cold-adapted, trivalent, intranasal influenza virus vaccine in children. N Engl J Med. 1998; 338(20):1405-12.

Benowitz I, Esposito DB, Gracey KD, et al. Influenza vaccine given to pregnant women reduces hospitalization due to influenza in their infants. Clin Infect Dis. 2010; 51(12):1355-61.

Ciszewski A, Bilinska ZT, Brydak LB, et al. Influenza vaccination in secondary prevention from coronary ischaemic events in coronary artery disease: FLUCAD study. Eur Heart J. 2008 Jun; 29(11):1350-8.

Colquhoun AJ, Nicholson KG , Botha JL, Raymond NT. Effectiveness of influenza vaccine in reducing hospital admissions in people with diabetes. Epidemiol Infect. 1997; 119(3):335-41.

Ferdinands JM, Olsho LEW, Agan AA, et al. Effectiveness of influenza vaccine against life-threatening RT-PCR-confirmed influenza illness in US children, 2010-2012. J Infect Dis. 2014; 210(5):674-683.

Havers FP, Sokolow L, Shay DK, Farley MM, et al. Case-control study of vaccine effectiveness in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations in older adults, United States, 2010-2011. Clin Infect Dis. 2016; 63(4).

Madhi SA, Cutland CL, Kuwanda L, et al. Influenza vaccination of pregnant women and protection of their infants. N Eng J Med. 2014; 371(10):1918-31.

Nichol KL, Baken L, Nelson A. Relation between influenza vaccination and outpatient visits, hospitalization, and mortality in elderly persons with chronic lung disease. Annals of Internal Medicine 1999;130:397-403.

Phrommintikul A, Kuanprasert S, Wongcharoen W,et al. Influenza vaccination reduces cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eur Heart J. 2011; 32(14):1730-5.

Talbot HK, Griffin, MR, Chen Q, et al. Effectiveness of seasonal vaccine in preventing confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in community dwelling older adults. J. Infect Dis 2011; 203:500-8.

Talbot HK, Zhu Y, Chen Q, et al. Effectiveness of influenza vaccine for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations in adults, 2011-2012 influenza season. Clin Infect Dis. 2013; 56(12): 1774-7.

A summary of the research: Vaccine Effectiveness - How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work? | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

nursej22, MSN, RN · Nov 21, 2018

I just saw this, references at the bottom:

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3115.pdf