Nurses: Mandatory Vaccinations?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it mandatory for nurses to get vaccinations? Or does it depend on the State?

For NYC -- New York State, any nurses know if it is mandatory or optional?

Thanks.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I'm from NY. If I remember correctly, you can sign a waiver stating that you understand the risk, and still decide not to take recommended vaccines. Personally, I am too uncomfortable to do that, so, I did make sure that my tetorifice and Hep B series is up to date. I'm not a flu vaccine fan, though, so, no flu for me.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

I start LVN school in January. So far I've had 5 shots and one more to go (chickenpox, mumps, tetorifice, hep b). It was a small price to pay to protect myself and maybe even others.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'm up to date with tetorifice...go barefoot a lot so that's important to me... Refuse to ever get a flu shot...Hep B is now required beginning with Spring semester at our college but I will be refusing that one too...waiver signed and research against it done and presented to support my position. You do have rights you know.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF, Psychiatric, Pharmaceutical.

I've taken the Hep B series once, and have refused it at all subsequent hire-ons. I only accepted one flu vaccine, and I was so ill for 3 days (and wasn't allowed to be off work) that I absolutely refuse to take another flu shot.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

You can refuse any of them. I won't get started though- vax's are one of those things I am really passionate about. LOL

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We have to show proof that we are immune to measles mumps, chickenpox, etc. We also were asked to get HepB shot, although we can sign a waiver against it. I did get the flu shot and because of my age and a susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, I am going to get the pneumonia shot. I still need to get the tetorifice shot--I realized it's been almost ten years since my last one.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

They are strongly recommended but nobody can force you to have them administered. Now, some places may require you to show proof of immunity to certain illnesses (varicella, for example) but no place can legally force you to get the vaxes. They may, however, have you sign a form of declination stating that you understand that you may be exposed to the disease in question and that you may contract it. I personally have zero problem getting any vax recommended...but that's just me and I'm not allergic to anything, nor do I even get a mild reaction 95% of the time.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

I haven't heard about any controversy regarding the Hep B series. The Chicken Pox shot made me feel funky for a couple of days both times. I didn't have adverse reactions to Hep B though. Are they unsure if it is effective or something? I'd really like to know.

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Specializes in Family Practice/Primary Care.

What is the controversy on the HBV?

I took the series once in middle school, the immunity did not take so I took it again in nursing school, where it did take.

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Thanks for everyones feedback...I am a pre-nursing student, when I was younger I got vaccinated for measles mumps, chickenpox, rubella, etc...and I thought being vaccinated was an imperative part of a nurses job and that it was mandatory.

Thanks for informing that it's not.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Generally no vaccinations are "mandatory". Then again if you don't have them the employer or school does not have to allow you to work for them or attend their institution either.

Rj

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