Mandated Flu vaccine?

So why should I get a vaccine if it isn't a sure thing against the flu ?

In the general population killed virus vaccines are 70-90% effective. Are you saying we shouldn't do it because it's not 100%? Hand washing isn't 100% effective either, should we stop hand washing?

Nausea and aches are no fun, but I don't agree that patients should risk death so that we don't have to risk some discomfort.

Then start with handwashing. Only half of the people in hospitals do it consistently and there is no reprimand for not doing it correctly. Focusing on hand washing is cheaper and safer than flu vaccines, and it will probably get rid of the flu more efficiently.

So why should I get a vaccine if it isn't a sure thing against the flu ?

Because it is still better than nothing!

People underestimate the severity of influenza. I think that is because people call ANY upper respiratory infection that includes a fever "the flu." I am an otherwise healthy person; my immune system isn't compromised in any way. I was still VERY ill when I had the flu. Protecting your patients from it in ANY way you can is important. Obviously, once you KNOW you have the flu, you wouldn't be at work, but you can be infected and spreading it around before you manifest symptoms. To someone who is compromised, influenza can be deadly.

People love to throw around the phrases. "Oh, I have the flu." "I think I have the flu." etc, etc. A lot of times, I'd venture to say even MOST of the time, they don't actually have it. People call stomach bugs "the flu," even though it is an respiratory illness (yes, it can cause GI symptoms, but gastroenteritis by itself is NOT the flu). People get colds and say "I have the flu." That takes away from people taking it seriously. They put it at the same level as the common cold. You only really know/learn the difference if you have had it. Once you have, you'll do what you can (ie, get vaccinated) to help make sure you don't get it again.

Everybody masking up and handwashing prevents spread of what the flu vax covers AND all sorts of other bugs.

In the general population killed virus vaccines are 70-90% effective. Are you saying we shouldn't do it because it's not 100%?

I think you should have a choice. If I don't have a choice then all nurses must do everything they can to stop harm to patients:

1. Nurses must stop smoking because even the second hand smoke on their clothes affects patients and over 443,000 Americans (over 18 percent of all deaths) die because of smoking each year. Secondhand smoke kills about 50,000 of them (WHO)

Tobacco use will kill 1 billion people in the 21st century if current smoking trends continue.

2. Stop speeding, texting and talking on phone when driving because you may kill a patient on the way to the hospital.

3. Eat better and loose weight because people who are in optimal health have better immune systems and can fight off disease better and then those who are overweight and then they do not pass diseases along to their patients.

See where I am going? I know it is a bit overkill, but I am tired of the higher ups picking and choosing what I MUST do with my body. This whole issues is a matter of one world view vs. another.

Then start with handwashing. Only half of the people in hospitals do it consistently and there is no reprimand for not doing it correctly. Focusing on hand washing is cheaper and safer than flu vaccines, and it will probably get rid of the flu more efficiently.

Hand washing is always a good thing. However, if someone with the flu (or someone who has yet to show symptoms yet is infected nevertheless) sneezes or coughs in your vicinity, you are going to be exposed no matter how clean your hands are. Influenza is primarily spread in this manner, though it is also possible to pick it up through touching an infected surface, then touching your nose or mouth.

Also, I am amazed at the number of nurses who claim they got the flu from the vaccine. It is NOT possible for a DEAD virus to replicate, therefore a flu vaccine cannot cause influenza. Did these people sleep through their classes on infection?

i think you should have a choice. if i don't have a choice then all nurses must do everything they can to stop harm to patients:

1. nurses must stop smoking because even the second hand smoke on their clothes affects patients and over 443,000 americans (over 18 percent of all deaths) die because of smoking each year. secondhand smoke kills about 50,000 of them (who)

tobacco use will kill 1 billion people in the 21st century if current smoking trends continue.

2. stop speeding, texting and talking on phone when driving because you may kill a patient on the way to the hospital.

3. eat better and loose weight because people who are in optimal health have better immune systems and can fight off disease better and then those who are overweight and then they do not pass diseases along to their patients.

see where i am going? i know it is a bit overkill, but i am tired of the higher ups picking and choosing what i must do with my body. this whole issues is a matter of one world view vs. another.

i think that is a fantastic idea. you have a problem with this or think it's "overkill?!"

Then start with handwashing. Only half of the people in hospitals do it consistently and there is no reprimand for not doing it correctly. Focusing on hand washing is cheaper and safer than flu vaccines, and it will probably get rid of the flu more efficiently.

Influenza is spread mainly through droplet transmission, so even perfect hand hygiene compliance would have little effect on reducing influenza transmission.

That's quite the coincidence.

No, it's really not. If you have an understanding of influenza, incubation periods, the human immune system, and the flu vaccine, it's not difficult at all to understand how one can get the vaccine, still get the flu, and yet understand that correlation does NOT equal causation.

Mandatory and if you do not get it you can not work until you have either a note from an MD stating why you can not get it (which then has to be approved) or you get it. This has been the rule for the last 3 years.

Required for all in patient care. Exemption: allergies or religious belief and then you will be required to wear a mask from Oct-Mar.

Required or you're fired (some exceptions apply; allergic rxn or religious reasons, etc). I don't mind, though. I would get the vaccine even if it were optional.