Mandated Flu vaccine?

[mol42]

Hi- Just received a blanket email yesterday that my hospital in VA is requiring ALL STAFF involved in patient care to get the flu vaccine this year. (incl nurses, physicians, clinical aides etc) I always get the vaccine voluntarily but feels wrong that this can be mandated. I still intend to get it. Is this legal? I remember something similar involving a group of NY Nurses some time back.

[Zombi RN]

Our hospital requires any employee who refuses the flu vaccine to sign a waiver and state their reason (mine is allergy). So far they have not required us to wear masks if we refuse, but I will happily do so if I am asked to.

ETA: You DO have the right to choose not to have the vaccine. And the facility has the right to NOT EMPLOY you if you do. Choices have consequences. No one has a free pass to get away from that.

[*Homeopathic*RN*]

I disagree with any vaccine mandates, including influenza. I've researched vaccines for 17 years, including all the ingredients, the disease, treatments, etc. There is NOT a single documented case of a hcw giving a patient influenza. This is 2011, if influenza were to be spread by hcw, why hasn't it been documented prior to a mandate.

Masks are not 100% effective either and seem ridiculous. Why wear a mask just during 'flu season'? Why not year around? We are in the public all the time, stores, church, etc, and every spring/fall/summer/winter. Do we wear a mask when you go to target or wal-mart in the summer? Why not? Anyone could catch anything just as easily in the summer as in the winter.

A frightening reality is the future of our children, whom most (not all) have zero natural immunity against any disease. Evolution has shown that virus/bacteria can easily mutate. Fast forward to the 'future' when these children (with zero natural immunity) are now adults or in their geriatric years. Say a communicable, mutated disease outbreak occurs, what is the outcome? Most likely, those who have natural immunity will survive, be immune and take care of the ill or dying. It happened with the h1n1 scare. The elderly did not need to be vaccinated b/c they had/have natural immunity against the h1n1.

Science has given us many advances in the medical community, but none in the common sense department.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I am happy to receive my free flu vaccinations from my employer but I totally and completely agree that you should have the right to refuse for your own reasons and further, I agree that it is a slippery slope to all kinds of mandates that reek of patriarchy and subjugation.

It reeks of preventing the spread of disease.

You have the right to refuse to wash your hands before patient contact if you want. But if you exercise it you need to find something else to do for a living.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

How many of you that are pro-vaccine are also pro-abortion?

And if you ARE pro-abortion, isn't the movement about a woman's right to choose, and shouldn't every single person have the right to choose what goes in and out of their bodies?

Vaccines of any kind, should never be mandated for any person for any reason.

Wow. This post may hold the world record for false analogy. Rather impressive.

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

:smackingf'

This train is never late.....and I must say, any analogy involving a flu shot and abortion.....wow. Words fail me LOL This year's "it's my body, you won't tell me what to put in it" vs "it's your right to find another job as well" debate could be epic!

Unless you provide proof of an allergy, it's mandatory at my hospital or you get fired. I don't see the problem. I choose to work around sick kids, so I choose to keep my employment and get vaccinated. I see it more as protection for myself. I don't see it as illegal because I think vaccination is up there with handwashing - necessary for keeping communicable diseases in check. That's certainly reasonable for a hospital to require of its employees.

I don't think the slope is as slippery as some think - someone mentioned not hiring smokers, those with high BMI/cholesterol, etc - because someone's high triglycerides aren't going to harm someone else. Those factors have nothing to do with infection control.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

It reeks of preventing the spread of disease.

You have the right to refuse to wash your hands before patient contact if you want. But if you exercise it you need to find something else to do for a living.

I find it interesting that you bring this up in the light of the previous post (about lack of natural immunity, mutating pathogens, etc.). I do know that there is research that suggests bacteria can develop resistance to the antibacterial ingredients in antibacterial soap. In addition, wouldn't it be best for those of us with healthy immune systems to do less hand washing and not remove our natural flora? I say this tongue and cheek, and I see all the benefits of handwashing....just pointing out that if you extend the arguments against the flu shots, this is where you could get. So...wash your hands!

P.S. I got my flu vaccine yesterday at work and the didn't even give me a sticker

[Laidback Al]

In a socialist country every worker is owed a job. In the USA, employers can fire and hire at will. Thank goodness for American capitalism -- Heath care institutions are free to terminate nurses who refuse to follow employer-mandated vaccination policies.

[mwboswell]

I'd like to know who is working for an employer that is mandating receiving the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine. By mandatory, I mean, if you don't take it, you don't have a job. Would also like to hear if anyone has quit or lost their job because they didn't get the vaccine. Please don't mention your employer on this bulletin board. Any other relevant comments on your thoughts on this are welcomed. Thanks.

-Mark B

MSN FNP-BC CEN CTRN CFRN CPEN NREMT-P

"Support CEN Certification and Your Local ENA"

[MunoRN, RN]

My employer requires flu vaccination for anyone who may interact with patients as part of their job. I agree with it as a patient safety issue.

You're not fired if you refuse, but you are switched to per diem and not scheduled during flu season, you can also apply for temporary non-patient care positions that are made available during flu season.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Required.

Never got the flu til I got the vaccine...

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Required. Even if allergic.

[JoyfulRN14, BSN, RN]

At my hospital it's strongly suggested, but not required. You just have to fill out a declination form saying you did not want to get a flu shot for whatever reason. No one hassles you either way, but you have to do one option or the other d/t state laws.