What is your opinion on getting the flu shot?

[Surg-OncRN]

Hi, I have gotten the flu shot every year for the past seven years I have been a nurse. I have decided that I have heard enough to convince me to not take it from now on. It is not mandatory at my facility but they push it very strongly. In other words, I have to think of a very good excuse for not taking it. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions on this and what I should do. Thanks!

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

Even "preservative-free" flu shots are full of toxins. Thimersol is not the only concern. Check out this link to learn what is really in a flu vaccine: Vaccine Ingredients Calculator

As far as effectiveness of the flu shot, there have been no conclusive studies that show the flu shot is effective at preventing the flu or complications from the flu. Look up the Cochrane reviews on flu vaccinations. Studies that do demonstrate effectiveness are suspect because the research is conducted by the pharmaceutical companies, which obviously have a vested interest in selling flu vaccines. From the Cochrane review: "Studies funded from public sources were significantly less likely to report conclusions favorable to the vaccines. The review showed that reliable evidence on influenza vaccines is thin but there is evidence of widespread manipulation of conclusions and spurious notoriety of the studies. The content and conclusions of this review should be interpreted in light of this finding."

You included a link to an NVIC source, which is an anti-vaccine organization created by an angry mom who believes vaccines cause autism. Not very legitimate if you ask me.

The real impact of biases could not be determined for about 70% of the included studies (e.g. insufficient reporting details, very different scores among the items evaluated). About 20% of the included studies (mainly cohorts) had a high risk of bias. Just under 10% had good methodological quality.

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001269/ARI_vaccines-to-prevent-influenza-in-healthy-adults

[mystcnurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

Not sure what you are saying by this. The Cochrane review that you included a link to is stating that there is no statistical significance overall, for the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. It is also stating that studies (regarding administration/effectiveness) of the vaccine are at high risk for bias. Only 10% of studies had good methodological quality. So what is very legitimate?

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

CDC Study: Mandatory Flu Vaccinations of Health Care Workers Offer NO Protection to Patients | Health Impact News

The author of that article was incorrect; the RCTs were conducted only in long term care facilities, not hospitals. They studied if vaccination of HCWs alone would protect patients without considering other techniques, such as hand hygiene, staying home from work when sick, etc. The CDC suggested a combination of interventions were necessary to prevent flu transmission, a combo that may include immunization of HCWs. More research is needed.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

Not sure what you are saying by this. The Cochrane review that you included a link to is stating that there is no statistical significance overall, for the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. It is also stating that studies (regarding administration/effectiveness) of the vaccine are at high risk for bias. Only 10% of studies had good methodological quality. So what is very legitimate?

That excerpt is not a/b the efficacy of the flu vaccine; it is about the quality of the study you're quoting. They are saying that the research that states flu vaccines are worthless is not very high quality research. I don't see how it's debatable that they're talking about the research presented.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Retired this past July. Only had the blank flu shot last year because

I had to. Never again can anyone make me have a flu shot again! Quote all your evidence, no matter to me, NEVER again!

[T-Bird78]

I don't get vaccinated. It's a personal choice not to put a live virus in my body. A body knows how to fight infections and your immune system gets stronger each time it wins. I don't put others at risk due to the nature of my career. If I worked in Peds/ER/ ICU or something I would probably change my tune for my patients sake. But as of right now I do not partake in the annual flu vac.

The flu vaccine is a dead virus.

[toomuchbaloney]

I get the vaccination every year.

I have had influenza before and it was NOT fun. It is decidedly much worse than a typical URI.

I have a spouse with asthma and it is important to keep those lungs as healthy as possible.

[sweet sunshine]

I hate how you're forced into to getting the flu shot. It should be your decision whether or not you get one.

[SionainnRN]

I hate how you're forced into to getting the flu shot. It should be your decision whether or not you get one.

It is your decision. Just like its the hospitals decision to only employ healthcare workers who understand the importance of flu vaccines.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

It is your decision. Just like its the hospitals decision to only employ healthcare workers who understand the importance of flu vaccines.

Exactly!!!

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

It's mandatory at my workplace. The main reason is to protect the pts from getting influenza from sick staff. Well, actually the main reason is so that they can advertise that we're all vaccinated to protect our customers.

Seriously, I think putting limits on the number of sick calls we're allowed and having to be penalized if we call out sick too often encourages coming to work sick. I've gone to work with a cold and I work with fragile pts. :-(

[chadrn65]

I get a flu shot every year. I go to CVS and had mine the first week of September. I received the non-mercury vaccine. I prefer to get it early. One year, almost 15 years ago…….I did not get one, got busy and forgot. That was a horrible year for me, for the flu turned into pneumonia. I was sick for almost a month. I rarely get a cold and since then have not gotten the flu.