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.
Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.
I am personally going to struggle on whether to get flu vaccine or not this year. There is a rebel in me that as soon as the "big boss" said, "I mandate you," I said, " no thank you." I was involved in the smallpox vaccine issue after 911, and went to Washington DC to hear government scientists. I was then part of the, "small pox vaccine-don't give it/don't get it." So, I am aware of the argument that pharmacetuical companies were driving the issue for financial gain. Then when no science was used, to bully nurses with mandatory masking, I was more suspicous.
However, I am not a crazy an anti-vaccine person. I am now retired and I have true free choice. I am not as young and I am going to have decide risk versus benefit.
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
lol. they let every tom dick and harry off the street w/o verifying that they have a flu shot or tell them they have to wear a mask its "suggested".. therefore if u dont want the shot, dont get it. and dont wear a mask if u dont want to.
besides the flu mutates so rapidly its hard to keep up with it.
I am personally going to struggle on whether to get flu vaccine or not this year. There is a rebel in me that as soon as the "big boss" said, "I mandate you," I said, " no thank you." I was involved in the smallpox vaccine issue after 911, and went to Washington DC to hear government scientists. I was then part of the, "small pox vaccine-don't give it/don't get it." So, I am aware of the argument that pharmacetuical companies were driving the issue for financial gain. Then when no science was used, to bully nurses with mandatory masking, I was more suspicous.
However, I am not a crazy an anti-vaccine person. I am now retired and I have true free choice. I am not as young and I am going to have decide risk versus benefit.
If you are retired and "older than a certain age" you are more susceptible to flu.
Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.
lol. they let every tom dick and harry off the street w/o verifying that they have a flu shot or tell them they have to wear a mask its "suggested".. therefore if u dont want the shot, dont get it. and dont wear a mask if u dont want to.
besides the flu mutates so rapidly its hard to keep up with it.
(I am not proud of it) The way I got around wearing a mask was the fact that there was absolutely no enforcement of the mandatory policy. If I really had to wear one, my plan was to find one of those military gas maks or wear a paper mask with the words, "ask this RN why she won't get a flu shot" written across the mask. I don't take to bullying polices unsubstantiated by science very well (paper masks to prevent flu).
Specializes in Med-Surg, OB, ICU, Public Health Nursing.
What about the substantiated policies like getting the influenza vaccine?
I explained it above. (Probably the only time I ever disobeyed a policy). I did not wear a mask and I did not receive vaccine. The hospital had absolutley no enforcement mechanism. If caught, I would have had to face the consequences. They have not figured it out, for years.
I tried to get it (my very first-I now work for a mandatory shot or wear a mask for the season employer) but when I told the nurse that I do have a mild egg allergy, and then mentioned my anaphylactic reaction from simply inhaling Ceclor powder once too often, he pretty much made the sign of the cross and shooed me away.
Actually, he's going to order a vial of the preservative free vaccine, since that's what people react to.
Egg-free vaccines are produced as well as preservative-free. You're covered :)
nurseactivist
247 Posts
I am personally going to struggle on whether to get flu vaccine or not this year. There is a rebel in me that as soon as the "big boss" said, "I mandate you," I said, " no thank you." I was involved in the smallpox vaccine issue after 911, and went to Washington DC to hear government scientists. I was then part of the, "small pox vaccine-don't give it/don't get it." So, I am aware of the argument that pharmacetuical companies were driving the issue for financial gain. Then when no science was used, to bully nurses with mandatory masking, I was more suspicous.
However, I am not a crazy an anti-vaccine person. I am now retired and I have true free choice. I am not as young and I am going to have decide risk versus benefit.