Immunization ? for acceptance - Allergic to eggs

[newcareer2011]

Hi! I am a student hopefully and have applied to an RN program. Grades are good, entrance test scores are good and I am saying my prayers that I get accepted. I have a major concern though. I have never been vaccinated for Chickenpox or MMR, nor have I had the diseases. The reason I was not immunized is because of a severe egg allergy. I went to my family phyisican today to get a titer done so I am waiting to get the results back which will probably take a few days. I have taken my Hep vac. and other vacs that are not cultured in egg but I am concerned that not being able to take the MMR or MMRV will keep me from being able to enter the program if I get into the program. Does anyone out there have any knowledge on this subject? I would appreciate your suggestions. Thank you!

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

OP...please don't listen to this crap!

Wow, aren't we a bit harsh?

llg is speaking from personal experience, at her place of employment, which DOES have the right to deny employment based on certain circumstances (such as inability to provide a safe environment for patients (who in this case, are most likely the immunocompromised population). She is being honest and straightforward with the OP.

In my place of employment (nursing school) the immunization requirements are based on the clinical site's requirements, which means if you can't get cleared at a specific hosptial as a student, you certainly won't be cleared there as an employee.

[llg, PhD, RN]

OP...please don't listen to this crap! YOU have rights! Nobody can discriminate against you. Every state has some sort of exemption, either medical, religious or philosophical. People don't know this....they see required on a form and they automatically run to the doctors to get the vaccine(s). If a facility doesn't want a law suit, then you'll be allowed to work wherever your heart desires. Most recent cases were those nurses last year refusing the swine flu vaccine when that whole drama was going on. Anyway....I just don't want this pro-vaccine nurse to scare you from doing what you want! :)

You can believe that if you want to ... and it may even be true in some places ... but it is NOT true where I live. People who cannot get a flu shot are not allowed to work in certain areas without wearing masks at all times during flu season. That's not a very pleasant way to work all winter. People who choose not to get required immunizations CAN be required to take such precautions and that can ruin a job for you. Students are guests and we have the right to refuse them access to our patients if they do not meet our requirements.

To the OP: If you have questions about the relevant employment laws in your state, you should speak with an attorney. The legal system where I live have supported the hospitals in their establishment of their immunization requirements.

I'm just trying to help the OP out here -- telling her what battles she will have to fight her ENTIRE CAREER if she chooses to go into nursing without getting the immunizations. The anti-vaccine people can say that it is wrong all they want to ... but the fact is, most health care schools and employers have such requirements. And anyone not fulfilling those requirements will be fighting a long uphill battle -- one that they might very well lose in the end. The OP needs to know that and take that into consideration as she makes her choices.

[whereslilly]

I personally don't believe in the whole "the more people are vaccinated the less chance those that aren't will get sick". Sorry I just don't. Since the diseases were on the decline just before vaccines were introduced....I think what helps is education. Shall I say we're a cleaner nation then say 60+ years ago. These poor countries that still have these diseases have poor sanitation, dirty water and lack of personal hygiene. I'm NOT saying vaccines don't help because I do think they have a purpose in some cases. I've only seen a few things on what Jenny McCarthy has to say about this issue and frankly I think she's right. Is there a reason to inject a bunch of toxins into a new baby? Or even in the 1st year? The immune system is devoloping rapidly in the 1st 2 years of life and I don't think it's safe/healthy to put toxins in a child during that time, or anyone for that matter. I am very careful when researching any topic. The only pro-vaccine site I go to is CDC but that's to look up the ingredients list and I don't go on anti-vaccine sites either. Actually I don't go on any vaccine site....I look up the disease itself (on a non-vaccine site of course). Most of these diseases are self limiting and treatment is quite effective IF by the extremely small chance my child would come in contact with it. The damage a vaccine can cause scares me more, so more often I refuse. I too want this student to be informed because I know what we're taught in nursing school and it's all VERY one sided. :/

Dirty and poor sanitation?? Have you ever heard of the "Polio belt"? Rampant outbreaks of polio in areas of the world that STOPPED Immunizing their children against the polio virus because of misinformation! A rumour had started that the "Salk" vaccine, (made by an American Jew), would sterilize their children. That is why the virus has spread so rampantly in Muslim areas. Saudi Arabia is very aware of this. They have a very modern, knowledgeable Health Minister. They will not allow anyone to enter their country, specifically for Haj without first showing proof of all Immunizations, including Meningitis & Polio. Then in addition everyone is administered an additional dose of oral polio. In closing I must ask, did your parents vaccinate you? Why would you deny your kids care your parents saw fit to give you?