I Really Do Not Want the COVID Vaccine ?

[AspiringNurse94, RN]

(So glad I stumbled across this website again after almost 6 years! I need to change my username because I am not an aspiring nurse anymore, I have been a nurse for almost 3 years! ?)

Anyway, I really do not want to take this new covid vaccine. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Typically I am not an anti-vaxxer but something about this illness is making me think otherwise. For personal reasons I really do not want to take it when available at my hospital, but I’m afraid it will be mandatory. I am almost considering finding a new job if my hospital forces us all to take it. What a shame because I do like my job and wouldn’t know what else to turn to that isn’t nursing, because chances are most healthcare related places of employment will likely require all employees take it.

I want to use the excuse of it being against my religion but I already took the flu vaccine this year. I have nothing against the flu vaccine but didn’t necessarily want it, but my hospital practically FORCED everyone to take it unless they grant you an exemption. I’m afraid they’ll question me why I took the flu shot but cannot take the covid vaccine. 

What do you guys think about this? Will you be taking the vaccine? I just want us to be able to make our own decisions about this. If patients can refuse medications, procedures, and treatments, why can’t healthcare workers do the same? I read in multiple articles it will not be required by the federal government but each state and employer can decide whether or not it will be mandatory.

And forget the $1500 “stimulus check” that may be offered if you take it. All the money in the world would not change my mind about taking the vaccine. I feel as though if you have to bribe people to take it, something is peculiar.

I don’t know why this is bothering me so much. It should be a choice in my opinion. But by telling a few friends about not wanting it I feel judged. I have worked with covid patients multiple times since I am one of the younger nurses who does not have any kids/am pregnant. I feel like week after week I was always chosen to go to the covid section. At first I was mad but now it doesn’t bother me. I am not afraid to be near covid patients. Luckily through all this time I haven’t caught it. I always tell people I’d rather catch it than get this vaccine. That’s how strongly I feel against taking the vaccine. All of my non-nursing who have had covid are covered and thriving. To me catching it isn’t the biggest deal but others have called me selfish because I could be spreading it to others. Why is it looked at as selfish for not wanting to inject something into MY body. #mybodymychoice

Am I thinking about this too much? What would you do?

[toomuchbaloney]

No one can force you to accept the vaccine. Why provide disingenuous rationale for not accepting the vaccine?  

[AspiringNurse94, RN]

1 minute ago, toomuchbaloney said:

No one can force you to accept the vaccine. Why provide disingenuous rationale for not accepting the vaccine?  

My biggest concern is there just hasn't been enough time to see the long term effects. Though it may be approved, how certain will it be in effectively protecting us and ensuring us that there aren’t any serious side effects. I don’t want any side effects to “just appear later” and to feel like a “guinea pig” for taking it during the first go round. I’d rather wait for subsequent years to take it after seeing the long term effects.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

4 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

My biggest concern is there just hasn't been enough time to see the long term effects. Though it may be approved, how certain will it be in effectively protecting us and ensuring us that there aren’t any serious side effects. I don’t want any side effects to “just appear later” and to feel like a “guinea pig” for taking it during the first go round. I’d rather wait for subsequent years to take it after seeing the long term effects.

You need to do more research.

There is nothing wrong with not wanting it, but at this point, you are not wanting it due to a lot of assumptions and fears rather than facts. You are a nurse. Do the research. If you don't want it, don't get it. There may or may not be consequences, up to and including loss of your job, though many employers are NOT making it mandatory. Mine isn't. So yes, that part you are overthinking. If your employer hasn't said it is mandatory yet, stop worrying about that.

I have no argument with your nerves. I do have argument with your being squeamish about getting it without actually looking into it.

 

[toomuchbaloney]

5 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

My biggest concern is there just hasn't been enough time to see the long term effects. Though it may be approved, how certain will it be in effectively protecting us and ensuring us that there aren’t any serious side effects. I don’t want any side effects to “just appear later” and to feel like a “guinea pig” for taking it during the first go round. I’d rather wait for subsequent years to take it after seeing the long term effects.

Knowledge and information are good antidote for the considerable concern and doubt you are experiencing.  The advisory meeting was live streamed and was very informative. It's too long for most working folk.  I let it stream in the background while I putter around the cabin. 

 

[macawake, MSN]

10 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

Anyway, I really do not want to take this new covid vaccine. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Typically I am not an anti-vaxxer but something about this illness is making me think otherwise. 

I don’t understand. What is the ”something” about this illness that makes you think otherwise and turns you into an anti-vaxxer? 
 

10 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

If patients can refuse medications, procedures, and treatments, why can’t healthcare workers do the same? I read in multiple articles it will not be required by the federal government but each state and employer can decide whether or not it will be mandatory.

Patients absolutely can refuse medications, treatments and procedures. The likely consequence is that their disease progresses and depending on the disease, it might cost them their life. Nurses absolutely can refuse a vaccine even if their employer mandates it. It might cost them their job. Actions and consequences. 

Is that fair? I think it’s just one of those things that is what it is. Should the vaccine be mandated? Different people probably have different opinions on the latter question. Personally I don’t think it should be mandated but I do hope that as many people as possible will get one of the vaccines when they become approved. 

10 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

And forget the $1500 “stimulus check” that may be offered if you take it. All the money in the world would not change my mind about taking the vaccine. I feel as though if you have to bribe people to take it, something is peculiar.

I have no idea what this stimulus check is?! Who has offered it? To whom? It seems to me that this is the second time that you’ve hinted at something about this illness and/or vaccine being hidden in the shadows? Perhaps I’m jumping to conclusions, but that’s what your wording makes me believe. 

You say that all the money in the world would not change your mind on taking the vaccine? How about all the information in the world? Could that have an effect?

10 hours ago, AspiringNurse94 said:

Am I thinking about this too much? What would you do?

It seems to me that you’re doing a lot of thinking and feeling, but have you spent the time and effort  to learn more about the vaccines? You say that you don’t want ”the” vaccine? Which one? All of them? There are several different candidates in the pipeline. Will you research them as the study data on efficacy and safety becomes available for them? 

 

[OhHaiMark]

I am in a similar boat as you. I think part of what has put me here, is that this disease has been full of surprise after surprise. It seems like every time the public was told one thing about it, we learned more information. Plus, the mRNA technology has never been used before in a widespread manner. I'm not worried about short-term side effects, I'm worried about the long haul. Even more so since this disease, for most people, is mild. 

I also take a BIG issue with people guilting you for not taking the vaccine because you could spread it. This is a false premise. WE DON'T KNOW YET. Time and again, material I have read indicates one of these vaccines may protect the vaccinated person from developing the illness, but NOT prevent them from spreading it to others. If you don't want to spread COVID, you're going to have to keep wearing a mask and distancing appropriately. Maybe in the future the question of whether vaccinated people can be infectious will be answered, but I have seen nothing that settles that question so far. No, employers will want employees to get it so they don't lose money on sick time.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

According to Dr. Fauci, we will still need to mask post vaccine through 2021.  The vaccine is not going to project us back to normal.  

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

On 12/11/2020 at 8:41 AM, Nurse SMS said:

You need to do more research.

There is nothing wrong with not wanting it, but at this point, you are not wanting it due to a lot of assumptions and fears rather than facts. You are a nurse. Do the research. If you don't want it, don't get it. There may or may not be consequences, up to and including loss of your job, though many employers are NOT making it mandatory. Mine isn't. So yes, that part you are overthinking. If your employer hasn't said it is mandatory yet, stop worrying about that.

I have no argument with your nerves. I do have argument with your being squeamish about getting it without actually looking into it.

On 12/11/2020 at 4:01 AM, AspiringNurse94 said:

(So glad I stumbled across this website again after almost 6 years! I need to change my username because I am not an aspiring nurse anymore, I have been a nurse for almost 3 years! ?)

Anyway, I really do not want to take this new covid vaccine. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Typically I am not an anti-vaxxer but something about this illness is making me think otherwise. For personal reasons I really do not want to take it when available at my hospital, but I’m afraid it will be mandatory. I am almost considering finding a new job if my hospital forces us all to take it. What a shame because I do like my job and wouldn’t know what else to turn to that isn’t nursing, because chances are most healthcare related places of employment will likely require all employees take it.

I want to use the excuse of it being against my religion but I already took the flu vaccine this year. I have nothing against the flu vaccine but didn’t necessarily want it, but my hospital practically FORCED everyone to take it unless they grant you an exemption. I’m afraid they’ll question me why I took the flu shot but cannot take the covid vaccine. 

What do you guys think about this? Will you be taking the vaccine? I just want us to be able to make our own decisions about this. If patients can refuse medications, procedures, and treatments, why can’t healthcare workers do the same? I read in multiple articles it will not be required by the federal government but each state and employer can decide whether or not it will be mandatory.

And forget the $1500 “stimulus check” that may be offered if you take it. All the money in the world would not change my mind about taking the vaccine. I feel as though if you have to bribe people to take it, something is peculiar.

I don’t know why this is bothering me so much. It should be a choice in my opinion. But by telling a few friends about not wanting it I feel judged. I have worked with covid patients multiple times since I am one of the younger nurses who does not have any kids/am pregnant. I feel like week after week I was always chosen to go to the covid section. At first I was mad but now it doesn’t bother me. I am not afraid to be near covid patients. Luckily through all this time I haven’t caught it. I always tell people I’d rather catch it than get this vaccine. That’s how strongly I feel against taking the vaccine. All of my non-nursing who have had covid are covered and thriving. To me catching it isn’t the biggest deal but others have called me selfish because I could be spreading it to others. Why is it looked at as selfish for not wanting to inject something into MY body. #mybodymychoice

Am I thinking about this too much? What would you do?

 

So in all honesty, I think a lot of nurses and healthcare workers are leery of the vaccine......at this point. It has a lot of uncertainties and concerns with it being one of the fastest potentially approved vaccines, lack of a track record with safety profiles, and also the lack of accuracy (one day there are claims it will last for a year or more and the next day this changes....same with side effects). I am not against it at all, but would like more proof and more evidence behind it first.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

My employer is not requiring employees to get the vaccine. They make you get the flu vaccine but you can also opt out either for religious reasons or medical reasons. Legally they cannot ask you about being exempt for legal or medical reasons.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Do the actual scientific/prudent research and then make your decision. But definitely do not lie and use religion as an excuse as to why you don't take it.

[Cowboyardee]

Because the vaccine is authorized for emergency usage rather than fully "approved" by the FDA, I doubt that even typically over-zealous hospital administrations will really be able to make the vaccination mandatory for employees. It muddies the issue of consent, for one. Also, there is (and will be for some time) a shortage of available doses.

With that said, the data coming from the combined phase 2 and 3 clinical trial of the pfizer vaccine was encouraging. And as medical professionals, I think we have a real responsibility to make an effort to understand the data and make both our decisions and recommendations based off of an understanding of that data. 

Here it is for anyone who needs it:

https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download

The safety profile was reasonable and in line with other vaccines. The efficacy was surprisingly good, IMO - one of my initial concerns was that getting the first available vaccine would keep me from getting a more effective vaccine that gets authorized in the near future, but with the results linked to above, that's not much of concern. The immediate side effects (fever, muscle aches, etc) were notable, but certainly not enough to sour me on the vaccine. 

We don't know the long-term effects, but we also don't have any reason to suspect that the long-term effects of this vaccine will be particularly bad. More to the point, we have ample reason to think the long-term effects of covid-19 are likely to be quite bad. I don't live or work in an isolated vacuum and I don't have a reasonable expectation that my risk (even as a young-ish healthy person) of getting or seriously suffering from the virus is particularly low. Of my options, getting vaccinated seems much less risky based on the best information available to me right now.