Mandatory flu shots????

Nurses COVID

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It didn't dawn on me until just right now, don't ask me why, that my choice of NOT getting a flu shot will NOT get me into a nursing program. The director at my school of choice basically stated "it is a requirement that you receive one, however you can sign a declaration that you do not wish to receive one." Then I asked, "would that inhibit my chances of getting into the program?" She replied, "well, the facilities in which we work with it is required due to you working with elderly clients; If you do not wish to get the flu shot perhaps you should look into another career."

*****?? (excuse the language) I have worked in nursing homes, health centers, private duty, home health agencies, visiting nurses association, hospice AND THEY NEVER REQUIRED me to ever receive or even ASKED if I have obtained a flu shot!!! (mid 90's)

So, anyone please tell me my dream of becoming a nurse is already dead because I REFUSE to get a flu shot???!!! seriously??? I am so upset right now!!!

If someone has a religious reason then it's there choice to do a declination or a waiver for the influenza vaccination. Everyone that I have spoken to that has received the influenza vaccination has had major issues post vaccination and they now regret it. It made them very sick . Why is it that many people who are very healthy and don't get the vaccination end up just fine. I'm not just referring to

Everyone you have spoken to who has had the flu shot "has had major issues post vaccination"?? I find that extremely unlikely, considering that the vast majority of people who get the vaccination have no problems. Here, I'll break your streak -- I've had the flu shot every year for many years, and I've never had any kind of problem. There, now you've spoken to someone who hasn't had problems and doesn't regret getting vaccinated.

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So many nurses are against the influenza I wonder why?

Perhaps because it's a serious illness that causes a lot of disability and death. Most all the nurses I know are "against the influenza." I, personally, am vehemently opposed to influenza -- which is why I, and most all the healthcare workers I know, get vaccinated against it each year.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Perhaps because it's a serious illness that causes a lot of disability and death. Most all the nurses I know are "against the influenza." I, personally, am vehemently opposed to influenza -- which is why I, and most all the healthcare workers I know, get vaccinated against it each year.

I too am very much against influenza which is why I voluntarily get a vaccination every year. As an interesting anecdote with regard to vaccinations - I (smart lady that I am) delayed getting my son the HPV due to some very "FAKE" news articles that I read on the web. I finally sat down with our son's pediatrician and discussed my concerns ( which every person with vaccine concerns should do) and decided that there simply was not enough evidence to justify my fears. The man cub has now had all his HPV vaccines and his manhood didn't fall off as the "doom sayers" predicted.

Hppy

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Personally, I'm not a fan of the flu shot. I'm not convinced it's effective the way the smallpox, polio, mmr, and tdap are. It's a crap-shoot, but dang it, around here it's a mandated crap-shoot. Like pmabraham pointed out, it's not necessarily covering the strains of that season. The only time my hubby got the flu, he had already had a flu shot that season; he caught a different strain than was in the vaccine. The only ones in our hospital system who don't have to get it and can keep their jobs are those with conditions that would contraindicate (allergy, hx of Guillain-Barre, etc) or religious exemptions. I have neither, so each year I have to roll up my sleeve and begrudgingly get my shot. It's just not worth losing my job over.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

Personally, I feel that the mandatory flu shot is a violation of my right to choose what happens to my body. The flu shot is not without risk.

Unfortunately, in my hospital everyone must get a flu shot or sign a declination and must wear a face mask for the entire flu season.

With the declination you must sign a document acknowledging that if you are caught without a mask, you will be given a final written warning which stays in your file for 18 months thereby not allowing you to bid on any positions. If you are caught a second time without a mask you are terminated, period.

Someones making a ton of money on these vaccines...

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Personally, I feel that the mandatory flu shot is a violation of my right to choose what happens to my body. The flu shot is not without risk.

Is flu without risk?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Personally, I feel that the mandatory flu shot is a violation of my right to choose what happens to my body. The flu shot is not without risk.

You can still choose what happens to your body. You just have to deal with the consequences of that, such as termination of employment. As for the flu shot not being without risk, have you been in an ICU during flu season? Lots of people there on a vent from complications of the flu.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Personally, I feel that the mandatory flu shot is a violation of my right to choose what happens to my body. The flu shot is not without risk.

Unfortunately, in my hospital everyone must get a flu shot or sign a declination and must wear a face mask for the entire flu season.

With the declination you must sign a document acknowledging that if you are caught without a mask, you will be given a final written warning which stays in your file for 18 months thereby not allowing you to bid on any positions. If you are caught a second time without a mask you are terminated, period.

Someones making a ton of money on these vaccines...

And not one thought for your patients or coworkers...

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[...]

Unfortunately, in my hospital everyone must get a flu shot or sign a declination and must wear a face mask for the entire flu season....

[...)

At my facility, taking the current season flu vaccination is a requirement for continued employment. They no longer recognize personal or religious exemptions, and all medical exemptions are reviewed and must be approved by employee health.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

I think all visitors to the hospital should show proof of a flu shot or wear a mask as well in that case...

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I've gotten the flu shot the last 7 years and the last 4 of the 7 I got the flu. And it put me down for almost 2 weeks. I told them this year I was not taking it. They told me it was mandatory. But I can tell you right now I'm not taking it, and they can fire me if they want. I didn't become a nurse to lose my rights to my personal health. And my personal health decisions I make about my body. I have seen no benifit in receiving thr flu vaccine, infact I've expirenced the oposite. Nurses right to Healthcare privacy is seriously violated on a daily basis. But somehow hospitals get away with it. I'm to the point I'm seriously considering leaving the feild. I've been a nurse for 15 years and each year they take more and more of your privacy and control of your off the clock time. When will enough be enough.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I've gotten the flu shot the last 7 years and the last 4 of the 7 I got the flu. And it put me down for almost 2 weeks. I told them this year I was not taking it. They told me it was mandatory. But I can tell you right now I'm not taking it, and they can fire me if they want. I didn't become a nurse to lose my rights to my personal health. And my personal health decisions I make about my body. I have seen no benifit in receiving thr flu vaccine, infact I've expirenced the oposite. Nurses right to Healthcare privacy is seriously violated on a daily basis. But somehow hospitals get away with it. I'm to the point I'm seriously considering leaving the feild. I've been a nurse for 15 years and each year they take more and more of your privacy and control of your off the clock time. When will enough be enough.

You're opposed to the vaccine because you believe you've contracted the flu from the vaccine?

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