Many hospitals mandate their nurses to receive influenza vaccinations each year during flu season. Those who decline are forced to wear a mask while at work during the season. For those who cannot get the vaccine (for example, those who are allergic to ingredients), this seems like unfair punishment for something that they did not choose!
I can understand mandating nurses who decline, because in my opinion, it is an incentive for the staff to receive the vaccine. However, for those who wish that they are able to be vaccinated, this seems like undue punishment! I know it is for their protection, but in my opinion, they should have the right to make that decision on their own.
None of the anecdotal comments regarding one's experience with vaccines and illness are worth the pixels in their display.
Science, and the meaningful statistics that it produces, are all that counts... Vaccines prevent disease... and do not cause autism or RA or influenza or...
It remains, however, the choice of the individual as to whether they will be vaccinated... just as it remains the choice of the employer whether said refusal constitutes grounds for mandatory masks, unpaid suspensions, or terminations.
I've never had the flu until I relocated to the colder places which lasted less than a week. However, it was a one-time experience. I always get a flu vaccine (2 months prior to the flu time). No flu or whatever for the past 14 years.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
That's no fun but hopefully the fact that you're vaccinated mitigates the serious of the symptoms and shortens the length of the illness for you.
Good point. The last time I got influenza, I had received the vaccine. I was out of work for a week. The time before that, I did not get the vaccine, and I was out of work for 3 weeks (developed pneumonia). Yeah, anecdotal I know, but it's interesting.
Good point. The last time I got influenza, I had received the vaccine. I was out of work for a week. The time before that, I did not get the vaccine, and I was out of work for 3 weeks (developed pneumonia). Yeah, anecdotal I know, but it's interesting.
Do antivirals work for you, like Tamiflu? When I gave to people in the hospital, it didn't seem to make much difference, but maybe they started it too late.
That would be miserable to get the flu that much. I had it once, for about a week, flat on my back for 3 days. I don't remember if I had been vaccinated that year. I haven't missed one in several years now.
I listened to a webinar last month, and there is promising work on a more effective vaccines.
Good point. The last time I got influenza, I had received the vaccine. I was out of work for a week. The time before that, I did not get the vaccine, and I was out of work for 3 weeks (developed pneumonia). Yeah, anecdotal I know, but it's interesting.
Two thirds of hospital admissions for pneumonia are viral now.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Do antivirals work for you, like Tamiflu? When I gave to people in the hospital, it didn't seem to make much difference, but maybe they started it too late.
That would be miserable to get the flu that much. I had it once, for about a week, flat on my back for 3 days. I don't remember if I had been vaccinated that year. I haven't missed one in several years now.
I listened to a webinar last month, and there is promising work on a more effective vaccines.
I never seem to go in for treatment in time to start Tamiflu. I'm generally an extremely healthy person (almost NEVER get sick) and I like to let my body heal itself. So when I've gone in for the flu, it's usually after 3 or 4 days and I start thinking to myself "okay, this is getting kind of serious."
Never had to be hospitalized so far, luckily, although our son did when he was 3 (we now faithfully get him the vaccine every year). Asthma really sucks.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
No stigma associated with the mask, there are many masked nurses walking around and some of them had the flu shot. There are some nasty illness people can give and catch. There will be much less sick time and misery by wearing a mask. If you tend to get sick a lot, try wearing one and see the difference. I did not even catch a cold last season while half my coworkers were calling out multiple days.
One patient last year coughed in my face, spraying nasty droplets all over me, so glad I had a mask.
bgxyrnf, MSN, RN
1,208 Posts
None of the anecdotal comments regarding one's experience with vaccines and illness are worth the pixels in their display.
Science, and the meaningful statistics that it produces, are all that counts... Vaccines prevent disease... and do not cause autism or RA or influenza or...
It remains, however, the choice of the individual as to whether they will be vaccinated... just as it remains the choice of the employer whether said refusal constitutes grounds for mandatory masks, unpaid suspensions, or terminations.