I am trying to feel out if anyone else has declined the Covid vaccine and feeling backlash or tension with other co-workers? I have never heard so much discussion regarding nurse receiving or declining a vaccine in the 12 years I've been a nurse. Not sure why it should even matter but, I am getting a lot of pressure about it. I do not see why I am "crazy " if I made the decision against receiving the vaccine. I also do not understand co-workers pushing the vaccine on me and others, or insisting we are out of our minds. This is coming from management level as well as staff nurses. I am just appalled at the treatment and many of us who have declined the vaccine have kept to ourselves. For me, personally, I made the choice not to get it and I was done at that. It's been a month into our hospital vaccines and people will not just shut up about it.
It must be a personal thing. I respond to logical, well reasoned arguments regardless of how it's delivered or by whom. I don't care if you are purple with multiple arms, smelly and smoking a big blunt. If your information is relevant to my situation, I will be absorbing it like a sponge to liquid. However, I have found a overwhelmingly that intelligent, insightful people are considered in their speech and behaviors. They are usually slow talkers who consider their speech cadence, rhythms and volume and minimize gestures to prevent distraction.
I hear what you are saying, but I get the sense that you are not necessarily applying this rationale to people who have been hesitant to be vaccinated. I feel that this and other discussions should really be separated into the MRNA vaccines and the other, more traditional vaccines. I am not anti-vaccine. I might be vaccine-hesitant, but only after witnessing first-hand a horrendously life-changing vaccine injury in someone close to me. The vaccines have had an acceptable side-effect profile. They seem to be effective thus far. I, personally, am just not comfortable with the MRNA technology, not because it is inherently evil, laced with a microchip or some other fringe gobbledyguk. I am uncomfortable because of the as of yet unknown complications or long-term effects as well as my own propensity towards severe allergic reactions to things. I research regularly to understand more about the technology, how it works, how it is being used, and potential complications that we cannot yet understand or know. None of these statements seems to be a reason for me to be attacked, bullied, harassed, or otherwise mistreated as I, and others, have been in the last few months. It is NOT something we deserve. It is NOT a decision out of stupidity or ignorance. It is NOT an easy decision. Life is fraught with challenges. We are all driving our ships as best we can. I understand that my decision may have an impact on those around me, which is why I am extremely careful, wear my PPE, minimize contact, and try to be mindful. I have the utmost respect for everyone who gets the vaccine, as well as those who don't. Neither decision is without risks. But I very strongly value the right for all of us to choose what we are willing to do to our bodies, and the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
You have an excellent reason to decline re your allergies and also because you have obviously done the research and have valid, cogent reasons.
I'm sorry how people have misconstrued statements but I only believe in science. The way other people believe in God. I calculate almost everything before I initiate anything. It's reassuring and repeatable re outcomes and I can review to evaluate findings or when I go wrong.
The science is never wrong...it's always objective. It's the people who abuse the science that gets things wrong.
Almost half a million dead in a year! There were many people resistant to seat belts, helmets, air bags, speeds over 30 mph, speeds over 750mph, Dupont's use of lead, Koch and it's chemicals whilst it was killing them, coal and slurry pits etc etc. Even current vaccines.
The CDC has even go so far as to say that those who have been fully vaccinated and are at least two weeks out from their vaccination no longer need toquarantine due to a close-contact exposure,
So long as are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series and have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
For what it's worth, the number is nearly double that. Google your state's number of deaths (due to any cause) for, say, Sept 2019 and compare with Sept 2020. The difference is the true toll. Many deaths not attributable to Covid actually were (I.e. deaths with no test, deaths at home from people who avoided the ED during the crush, etc.)
I haven't read through all the comments, but just wanted to answer the question. Me personally I chose to NOT get the vaccine. I have not had Covid, even after working in a Covid unit for weeks. I have heard several people grumbling about how they can't believe everyone isn't getting the vaccine. I would say at least a third of the staff in my facility chose not to, including one of the owners. I personally have not gotten any backlash because I've only discussed it with maybe 2 other people and as far as I'm concerned it's none of anyone's business who got vaccinated or who didn't. I haven't had anyone ask me, and if they did I would tell them I'm not comfortable answering that question.
I haven't read through all the comments, but just wanted to answer the question. Me personally I chose to NOT get the vaccine. I have not had Covid, even after working in a Covid unit for weeks. I have heard several people grumbling about how they can't believe everyone isn't getting the vaccine. I would say at least a third of the staff in my facility chose not to, including one of the owners. I personally have not gotten any backlash because I've only discussed it with maybe 2 other people and as far as I'm concerned it's none of anyone's business who got vaccinated or who didn't. I haven't had anyone ask me, and if they did I would tell them I'm not comfortable answering that question.
If you're confidant in the basis for your decision, then why wouldn't you feel comfortable answering that question?
If you're confidant in the basis for your decision, then why wouldn't you feel comfortable answering that question?
It's not that, it's just a nicer response than "none of your business" and I'd rather not get into a debate with co-workers about the vaccine. I prefer to stay neutral at work.
It's not that, it's just a nicer response than "none of your business" and I'd rather not get into a debate with co-workers about the vaccine. I prefer to stay neutral at work.
I also don't like to get into non-work related political debates at work, although views on staff vaccinations in a work environment that involves direct patient care would seem to be work-related.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
On 2/22/2021 at 9:07 AM, hppygr8ful said:
I hear there's this island in the South Pacific where they used to keep lepers!
Speaking as someone who lives on an island in the south pacific, I would like to respectfully say, please keep your unvaxed population, we don't want them.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
11 hours ago, Tenebrae said:
Speaking as someone who lives on an island in the south pacific, I would like to respectfully say, please keep your unvaxed population, we don't want them.
?
I'll make a note of that! So neat you in the SP. I tried out Hawaii for a bit but COL was too high for me.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
On 2/21/2021 at 4:03 PM, Tozz said:
I sense this thread is winding down. A few takeaways:
I now have a sense, though not an understanding, of why so many of my coworkers are refusing to be vaccinated.
Having spent time in two careers, one almost exclusively male, another almost exclusively female, I've come to realize that "bullying" is an exclusive concern of the latter. Even though it occurs in both.
I'm left with a sinking feeling, that many of those who have gone through the same s**t that I have experienced during the past year, are, at the best "vax hesitant."
It goes with the territory in nursing, but I wish the profession was more grounded in science and facts, rather than feelings.
Please explain, as this seems contradictory. I have spent time in male dominated military work and now a nurse and I tend to disagree if you are saying nursing, being female is exclusively a "bullying" profession. I saw PLENTY of it in the military. Sorry to digress but this stood out to me.
I am vaxxed and glad for it. I wish more would do the same.
7 hours ago, lifelearningrn said:
How do your co-workers know you refused? Are you refusing or asking vaccinated co-workers to take Covid cases?
Why discuss it at all?
Unless they work in a place where the people vaccinated, have a distinguishing mark on their badge or something, I would keep my mouth shut on this, too. Why invite the derision?
MeganMN
1 Article; 89 Posts
I hear what you are saying, but I get the sense that you are not necessarily applying this rationale to people who have been hesitant to be vaccinated. I feel that this and other discussions should really be separated into the MRNA vaccines and the other, more traditional vaccines. I am not anti-vaccine. I might be vaccine-hesitant, but only after witnessing first-hand a horrendously life-changing vaccine injury in someone close to me. The vaccines have had an acceptable side-effect profile. They seem to be effective thus far. I, personally, am just not comfortable with the MRNA technology, not because it is inherently evil, laced with a microchip or some other fringe gobbledyguk. I am uncomfortable because of the as of yet unknown complications or long-term effects as well as my own propensity towards severe allergic reactions to things. I research regularly to understand more about the technology, how it works, how it is being used, and potential complications that we cannot yet understand or know. None of these statements seems to be a reason for me to be attacked, bullied, harassed, or otherwise mistreated as I, and others, have been in the last few months. It is NOT something we deserve. It is NOT a decision out of stupidity or ignorance. It is NOT an easy decision. Life is fraught with challenges. We are all driving our ships as best we can. I understand that my decision may have an impact on those around me, which is why I am extremely careful, wear my PPE, minimize contact, and try to be mindful. I have the utmost respect for everyone who gets the vaccine, as well as those who don't. Neither decision is without risks. But I very strongly value the right for all of us to choose what we are willing to do to our bodies, and the right to be treated with dignity and respect.