Mandated Flu vaccine?

GimiRN · Oct 9, 2011

When I first read the OP's post, I didn't see what the big deal was. Then I thought about it, and had to ask myself how I would feel if I were in the same situation.

If I felt that an injection or medication was responsible for certain side effects, would I be so quick to jump at the chance to take it again? Probably not. Maybe her side effects weren't directly related, but after reading about what others have experienced with the same or similar shot, I could see why the OP wouldn't want to chance a more severe reaction.

So my advice would be like others have mentioned. Get the note from your physician, and ask if you could be temporarily assigned to an area with no patient contact. If that's not possible, wear the mask (until either the end of flu season or when you find another job).

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 9, 2011

A few years ago, the Massachusetts DPH made it mandatory for anyone who worked in long term care to get a flu vaccine. There was such an outcry they reversed the position even before the vaccine was available that year. The people I know who opposed the loudest were the first ones in line to get vaccinated. Go figure.

aikz · Oct 9, 2011

in our hospital if you don't get the flu shot, you can't work. no pay

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

At our facility, when you show up for your free mandated flu shot there is a paper that you fill out that asks if you had a reaction before. You can check yes and a box that says "Refused due to allergic reaction" and you're allowed to refuse. I can't believe that other facilities don't allow for that option - it would be abusive and foolish to require someone who truly has an allergy to something in the vaccine to take it. And my facility still allows you to work. It's not that big of a deal if a few people don't get the vaccine, and the mandate minimizes the number of people who don't get it.

I find that I often feel a little sorry for people who have nothing better to do than to make a big straw tiger out of vaccines. i suspect that there are a very small number of people who have a valid reason not to get vaccinated, and a HUGE number of people who just aren't happy unless they have some sort of drama or dilemma in their lives.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

If I felt that an injection or medication was responsible for certain side effects, would I be so quick to jump at the chance to take it again? Probably not. Maybe her side effects weren't directly related, but after reading about what others have experienced with the same or similar shot, I could see why the OP wouldn't want to chance a more severe reaction.

As nurses, we are supposed to deal with evidence, not woo, and to understand the difference between anecdotal evidence and most important, that correlation does not = causation.

MaxAttack, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

I think many of us are missing the fact that there's a probability that the poster did have a reaction.

This is why they are nervous about getting it done again, not that it's being mandated. It's also equally important to understand that any reaction is possible with anything being injected into your body. Studies can only show us frequency and severity of reactions based on the sample population.

aheartsaverrn · Oct 9, 2011

My facility is mandating it for all employees as well. I didn't take issue with it because I take the flu shot every year, regardless. Also, it's no different to me than Hep B shots, Tdap, MMR, etc.

My facility's policy is that we either get the shot or wear a mask until March or have a doctor sign-off with a good reason for why you can't take it.

Because you mentioned such a reaction to the H1N1 shot, I doubt you having a problem getting a doctor to sign-off on why you can't take it, so don't worry.

Since I'm a new-grad and just recently went through orientation, I knew about the policy way ahead of time and when I got to the floor many nurses were upset by this policy and are trying to refuse it.

I can barely stand wearing a mask when I need to for procedures, let alone wear one for 12 hours straight, 36 hours a week, for almost 6 months.

Also, I think it would scare a patient if you were providing routine care and were wearing a mask for it.

I highly doubt any staff at my facility will refuse it for long once the masks have to come on.

Most importantly, if at least one life is saved through this mandatory vaccination then it's most certainly worth it.

GimiRN · Oct 9, 2011

As nurses, we are supposed to deal with evidence, not woo, and to understand the difference between anecdotal evidence and most important, that correlation does not = causation.

Are you implying that I don't? I think that goes without saying, not just for nurses, but for everyone who's interested in their health and well-being. Maybe it wasn't clear from my post, but I am absolutely not saying that simply because she thinks her side effects were related, she shouldn't take the shot again.

From the OP, I got that she had at least done some research, consulted a physician, and genuinely believed what happened (severe headache, nodules, etc) were directly related to her receiving the injection. And while I haven't done extensive research on it myself, from what I have read, it seems she could be right in her beliefs and concerns.

I have taken two prescribed medications (at separate times over the years) and had awful side effects from them. And after doing further research, I realized that the effects I experienced could definitely have been related to these meds, and yes, I vowed to never take them again. So let's say I was put in a situation where I was mandated to take either of them at my place of employment, I most likely would refuse. I can't imagine having the experience I did and saying, "Gee, let's try it one more time." It really was that bad for me, and quite frankly I would be afraid to try it again.

That's MY choice. I gave my original response that you quoted, based on that. Everyone is different and maybe some would take another chance. But just because one has reservations about doing so, doesn't mean they aren't educated on the subject. In many cases it's the exact opposite.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

gigmi, if one researches a drug and discovers that one has experienced known side effects from it that certainly doesn't infer ignorance of the topic. However, that's not what the OP stated, nor was your first response to her nearly so eloquently stated as your response to me.

I believe one should have the option of refusing based on a known allergy, i.e. eggs, not so much for just about anything else.

allnurses Guide · Oct 9, 2011

Unless they're holding you down to administer it, they are not "forcing" you to have anything.

indigonurse · Oct 9, 2011

First, the manufacturers info. needs to be obtained for this vaccination. Then, this information needs to be presented to your doctor. Then, see what your doctor recommends. If, your doctor advice's you to receive the vaccination or advice's against it, you need to get that in writing. If your doctor advice's you not to get the injection then you will need to get a note with the reason why and provide it to your employer. Then, see what your employer decides.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

After getting the H1N1 shot I had a severe headache for 3 days, then I noticed nodules on the right side of my neck (around the thyroid). I had 6 nodules on the right side of my neck and 2 on the other side with one on my wind pipe. The nodules went away over the last 2 years except for the one on my windpipe (it is still there).
I am very concerned about having to take this shot. I don't believe that I would be able to wear a mask for the duration of my shift if I was actually approved. Any advice or comments.

Have you done any research on the issue you are having? Many, many health problems that people are attributing to vaccinations have been shown to have the same incidence in people who are not vaccinated as in people who are.

I remember a doctor describing a child's visit to a clinic. He had just spoke with his mom about vaccinations and she said, "Go ahead". As the vaccinations were being prepared but before they were given, the kid had a seizure in the exam room.

The MD knew had he ordered those vaccinations two minutes before, the kid would still have had a seizure and there would have been no convincing his mother that the vaccination was not the cause.