Is your place of employment offering you the flu vaccine?

Katnip, RN · Oct 17, 2004

I don't think there is any legal action that can be taken against someone who is not in the high risk group taking a flu shot.[/Quote]
Shotzie, there ARE laws in several states that prosecute those giving flu shots to those not in high risk categories. I think those states, and maybe others have standing laws that can ration medications and healthcare in times of shortages and emergencies. Jus like they have the power to quarantine entire populations if need be.
My husband's company was going to offer their employees the flu shot but they pulled it. Not sure if it was because they couldn't get the vaccine, they voluntarily gave up their supply, or they were mandated to give it up.
WHERE are you guys getting vaccine? Here, NO ONE is getting any[/Quote]
Deb our hospital orders all our vaccines from Aventis. But we still can't vaccinate all employees. We're trying to save some for high risk in-patients.

memphispanda, RN · Oct 17, 2004

Employees who are involved in "direct patient care" will receive the flu vaccine.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 17, 2004

My home care agency received our stock--offered to direct care staff first then in office staff.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 17, 2004

Well, those who have access, I would take it if I were you. I don't, so I am SOL, as they say. I take care, all the time, of flu patients in OB--- so I had best brush up on techniques NOT to get sick. I don't want to get my kids and dh sick. Even in the military, they suspended flu vaccinations. It's scary if you ask me. We are sitting ducks for a potentially paralyzing pandemic. That much is very clear.

oregonnurse · Oct 17, 2004

No vaccines at my hospital for patients or staff. Of course they are trying to get a hold of some, but no luck so far.

donmomofnine · Oct 17, 2004

We don't have any, nor do we have any hopes of getting any. Means we will be stocking up on culture kits, antiflu medication. Already did an inservice on handwashing and I am sure we will be "closed" down a lot this winter. It's sad to think that 50% of my residents would be killed by flu entering our building! :crying2:

Drug store down the street gave 400 doses to anyone who got in line last week! I asked them if they followed CDC guidelines. Nope, just gave it out till they had none left! :crying2:

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 17, 2004

Must be a west coast thing oregon. I guess we were too late to get our shipments, and now they are being diverted. UGH.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 17, 2004

We don't have any, nor do we have any hopes of getting any. Means we will be stocking up on culture kits, antiflu medication. Already did an inservice on handwashing and I am sure we will be "closed" down a lot this winter. It's sad to think that 50% of my residents would be killed by flu entering our building!
Drug store down the street gave 400 doses to anyone who got in line last week! I asked them if they followed CDC guidelines. Nope, just gave it out till they had none left!

that IS very sobering.....how vulnerable so many are and will be this year. Esp if health care workers are not getting them either.

James Huffman · Oct 17, 2004

cyberkat, you are correct here on the matter of laws preventing those not in the high-risk categories from getting the shots. Here in North Carolina, for example, it's a misdemeanor for a health care provider to provide it to someone outside those groups. (I don't think there's a legal penalty for any RECEIVING a shot who's not a member of the groups).

Here's some information on the issue:

http://www.fluupdate.com/2004/10/tougher-limits-on-flu-vaccine-set-by.html

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 17, 2004

Yeah---if they're going to penalize doctors and nurses for giving vaccinations to low-risk patients, shouldn't there also be sanctions for those people GETTING the shots?!

This whole thing is ridiculous.......it just disgusts me to see how people are fighting like cats & dogs over the vaccine, and now one elderly woman has died while waiting in a long line for it. :angryfire

James Huffman · Oct 17, 2004

I'm guessing that the penalty would be only enforced for anyone KNOWINGLY giving the shot to someone not in the risk groups. I guess if they lied about being in the category (told you, for example, that they were high risk, when they were not) there would be no penalty.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

our facility is offering vaccines to employees doing direct patient care and according to CDC guidelines.