My hospital has instituted a new policy that you are required to have a flu vaccine. If FOR ANY REASON you cannot or will not get one, you must wear a mask from now until they deem the end of flu season. 2 years ago after getting my flu vaccine from employee health, I got a huge localized reaction, red raised hard bump, and had a fever for several days. I was going to start antibiotics, but the fever broke before I got them filled. They assumed it was a site infection, but never really know for sure, so I never got one last year since employee health has me listed as "bad reaction". So they refuse to give me a vaccine and are requiring me to wear a mask for the next several months. This seems rather unfair.
What do you think about being forced to get vaccines?
With previous bad reactions, should you be excused form the mask wearing?
I already struggle with getting the hard of hearing to hear me speak, since I have an accent, and Im a sweater.
Boohoo. Was thinking of getting the one they shoot up your nose, but my pcp thinks I shouldnt since we never knew what caused my reaction.
Every "adverse reaction" you had is normal although can be rare. Fever, redness or swelling to injection site, hard lump under skin are all known reactions that are not life threatening. It does not necessarily mean you reacted to the flu vaccine itself. Technique used by the person administering the shot can play a role in it. I've had the same reaction before and get the flu shot every year without problems.
If you do not get the vaccine, it is completely fair of your employer to require you to wear a mask.
I know some people (who feared an allergic reaction) who have arranged to get their flu vaccine in their allergist's office or in an ED so that proper help would be readily available in an emergency. Perhaps you and your doctor could make some special arrangement that you would be comfortable with.
Every "adverse reaction" you had is normal although can be rare. Fever, redness or swelling to injection site, hard lump under skin are all known reactions that are not life threatening. It does not necessarily mean you reacted to the flu vaccine itself. Technique used by the person administering the shot can play a role in it. I've had the same reaction before and get the flu shot every year without problems.
If you do not get the vaccine, it is completely fair of your employer to require you to wear a mask.
I too am puzzled by the PCP's reaction to a pretty innocuous reaction to building antibodies . . . . . .or a site infection. In cases like this, as stated above, you can get the shot and wait in the office to see if there is a life-threatening reaction.
If I had the same reaction, I'd still get the shot. Not giving medical advice here - just saying what I would do.
We're also required to get the flu vaccine. I don't think it should be mandatory either. I hate shots anyways.
That's interesting - I was giving blood yesterday and the nurse who was about to jab me with a needle apologized that "this might hurt a bit". I said "I judge everything by labor pain so a jab with a needle is not a big deal. Go for it!".
She did a good job and that large bore needle didn't even hurt!
:) Haven't had a vaccine, nor the flu in 10 years, so, getting a vaccine is not the only way. It's your own healthy immune system that will help, eating whole foods and taking some vitamins regularly (C and D are good ones I'd say). Actually, it was 2 weeks after I was last vaccinated that I did get the flu (which I didn't appreciate having asthma on top of it). :/ Regarding wearing a mask, look at it this way, it protects you as well as the patient.
Prediction made on Page Two. Comes to pass on Page Three.
Thank the search engines....
How about sticking to the topic the OP posted: opinions on healthcare workers having mandatory vaccination OR mask wearing? And not let it devolve into alternative methods of flu avoidance, which is NOT the topic?
Prediction made on Page Two. Comes to pass on Page Three.
Thank the search engines....
How about sticking to the topic the OP posted: opinions on healthcare workers having mandatory vaccination OR mask wearing? And not let it devolve into alternative methods of flu avoidance, which is NOT the topic?
Sorry, since the poster couldn't take the vaccine, just wanted to help. And, to comment on mask wearing, it's not a bad idea for everyone's interest to wear one. :)
This is an uncalled for response and completely senseless. I don't think she would come to work and expose her pt's to the flu if she had it, first of all. We don't go around as carriers of the flu all the time, and I'm sure if she had been exposed she would be extra cautious and would wear a mask.
Before one shows symptoms of the flu, they are indeed contagious. One wouldn't always know that they had been exposed to the flu.
And yes, I'm aware that someone who has been vaccinated yet is nevertheless infected with the virus will also be contagious before they show symptoms. The only difference is that their vaccination may prevent them from having a more serious case of the flu or from experiencing serious complications.
Before one shows symptoms of the flu, they are indeed contagious. One wouldn't always know that they had been exposed to the flu.
In that case why don't we all go around wearing masks all year round since, after all, there's always some kind of virus going around. Think about all the pt visitors that come flooding in the hospital during flu season. Do you think they've all been vaccinated? Of course not. I personally think that it's a little severe to make someone wear a mask that refuses the vaccine. Again, that's just my opinion.
In that case why don't we all go around wearing masks all year round since, after all, there's always some kind of virus going around. Think about all the pt visitors that come flooding in the hospital during flu season. Do you think they've all been vaccinated? Of course not. I personally think that it's a little severe to make someone wear a mask that refuses the vaccine. Again, that's just my opinion.
I specifically didn't attach any judgment in my post. Just stated facts in response to a comment that wasn't true and even made sure to be clear that those facts apply to the vaccinated who don't gain immunity from their vaccination as well.
Sorry, since the poster couldn't take the vaccine, .......
We don't know that to be a fact, actually. Thread isn't about alternative methods of prevention, nor personal anecdotes, it is about the idea of mandatory masking if not getting the mandatory vaccination. ONE or the OTHER.
:) Haven't had a vaccine, nor the flu in 10 years, so, getting a vaccine is not the only way. It's your own healthy immune system that will help, eating whole foods and taking some vitamins regularly (C and D are good ones I'd say). Actually, it was 2 weeks after I was last vaccinated that I did get the flu (which I didn't appreciate having asthma on top of it). :/ Regarding wearing a mask, look at it this way, it protects you as well as the patient.
Please go away. This is a nursing site, not a holistic health site.
In that case why don't we all go around wearing masks all year round since, after all, there's always some kind of virus going around. Think about all the pt visitors that come flooding in the hospital during flu season. Do you think they've all been vaccinated? Of course not. I personally think that it's a little severe to make someone wear a mask that refuses the vaccine. Again, that's just my opinion.
Your opinion doesn't matter in this case. A work requirement is a work requirement. Take it up with your supervisor.
CaringGerinurse525
117 Posts
Every "adverse reaction" you had is normal although can be rare. Fever, redness or swelling to injection site, hard lump under skin are all known reactions that are not life threatening. It does not necessarily mean you reacted to the flu vaccine itself. Technique used by the person administering the shot can play a role in it. I've had the same reaction before and get the flu shot every year without problems.
If you do not get the vaccine, it is completely fair of your employer to require you to wear a mask.