Mandatory Vaccination

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

What are your thoughts on this?

My thoughts are..If I decline the vaccine, I will wear a mask.

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Ahhh my favorite yearly argument

Egg allergy is no longer considered a contraindication for the flu vaccine.

Amen! Thank you!

I find it an overstep of power and it should be an incentivised choice.

I think anti-vaccine people are morons, but I also do not agree with forcing them to have the flu shot.

No one is forced to do anything, we had the options of getting vaccinated or going to nursing school, get vaccinated or wear a mask, get vaccinated or don't work in the hospital... you always have a choice my dear

If it were true that it's all about patient safety, we wouldn't have all the threads about not being able to call in sick/coming to work sick... That's a heck of a double standard!

As usual, It's all about the bottom line and productivity. It sounds nice to say it's about the patient, but that's secondary to the primary objective.

When management begins to insist that nursing staff stay home when sick as appropriate, Then I'll believe that the patient concern is primary.

BTW, I'm in favor of the flu vaccine for those in high risk groups. I got mine first of all because it's required, second because I don't want to be out sick and leave my unit short-staffed.

Why yes, hospitals love the double standard, "Stay home if you are sick we care about our patients' health" then only give you 4 absences a year before you get a write up when you work in an infectious disease floor Really?

But immunizations are not just for at risk populations, they are for the people around at risk populations. Healthy people like us get vaccinated to protect the people who can't (cancer patients, autoimmune diseases, transplant patients, legitimate allergies, seizure disorders, infants not old enough yet) even if you don't work directly with these patients, you will indirectly contact them being in the hospital. Herd immunity doesn't work if only sick people get vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is never perfect, but youtube a video of an infant in the PICU with the flu and you won't wonder if you should get it anymore... promise.

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Ahhh my favorite yearly argument

Amen! Thank you!

No one is forced to do anything, we had the options of getting vaccinated or going to nursing school, get vaccinated or wear a mask, get vaccinated or don't work in the hospital... you always have a choice my dear

Why yes, hospitals love the double standard, "Stay home if you are sick we care about our patients' health" then only give you 4 absences a year before you get a write up when you work in an infectious disease floor Really?

But immunizations are not just for at risk populations, they are for the people around at risk populations. Healthy people like us get vaccinated to protect the people who can't (cancer patients, autoimmune diseases, transplant patients, legitimate allergies, seizure disorders, infants not old enough yet) even if you don't work directly with these patients, you will indirectly contact them being in the hospital. Herd immunity doesn't work if only sick people get vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is never perfect, but youtube a video of an infant in the PICU with the flu and you won't wonder if you should get it anymore... promise.

They probably forgot about viruses (and bacteria) that are dormant; always readily to exponentially reproduce when they land in the right host and the right temperature and the right nutritious environment. I heard they feed on sugars, iron, and other resources in our beautiful body. With little protection in the body, I'm sure nothing can stop those viruses (and bacteria and superbugs).

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Specializes in Disaster, Conflict Mgmt.

I don't find wearing a mask to be punishment (what a minor thing!). What else would you want? A patient can not be exposed to non-vaccinated nurses, regardless of reason. Why do you think it is punishment? It is regulation.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I don't find wearing a mask to be punishment (what a minor thing!). What else would you want? A patient can not be exposed to non-vaccinated nurses, regardless of reason. .

It's actually meant to protect the nurse from getting influenza from patients and then passing it on to others. Because if the nurse is actively ill/coughing, she shouldn't be at work at all, mask notwithstanding.

Being unvaccinated does not automatically mean the person is a walking cesspool of disease.

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Hospital staff who receive the flu vaccination and still get the flu are not required to wear a mask? Double standards. Mask everyone and there won't be this controversy.

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Hospital staff who receive the flu vaccination and still get the flu are not required to wear a mask? Double standards. Mask everyone and there won't be this controversy.

Masking everyone all the time, in theory, would be an effective strategy against ILI. Unfortunately, compliance would be a nightmare.

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Masking everyone all the time, in theory, would be an effective strategy. Unfortunately, compliance would be a nightmare.

I wonder what the incidence of flu is in Japan?

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I agree with you, here is an article on topic...

Vaccine Freedom Wall: Nurse Fired for Refusing Flu Shot

If you were bullied, threatened or punished by a doctor, government official or employer for exercising voluntary, informed consent to vaccination, you can post a report and share your experience on NVIC's Cry for Vaccine Freedom Wall.

Following is an excerpt from a recent report posted in October 2018

"I am a BSN, RN that just got fired for refusing the flu shot. When I signed the employment agreement, it stated that a flu vaccine policy was in place and that I would agree to wear a mask if I had a religious or medical exemption. I specifically asked if religious exemptions were given and was told, "oh, yes." I signed the form fully believing that I would get a religious exemption and wear a mask for 6 months.

"Fast forward 5 months and I submitted a well-referenced letter requesting a religious exemption. It was denied and I was told if I did not submit to the flu shot I would be fired. I reminded them about what I signed and offered to wear a mask. I was told that would not protect the patients.

"I had been an excellent employee and loved my job. I asked if I could work Spring and Summer (like I just had) to fill in for vacations, etc. when it was no longer "flu season." I was told they would take me back immediately the minute I took the flu shot, but never without it. Some employees are allowed to mask. There is no mask or infection control/vaccine policy for visitors so I really don't think this is just about the health of the patients.

"Now I have lost a job that I loved and my livelihood. So many that I worked with didn't want the shot, but couldn't afford to get fired. If we all stood up together I believe it would end. My heart is broken and I worry about money, but this medical tyranny has to stop! It won't end with *just* the flu shot."

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I agree with you, here is an article on topic...

This isn't an "article".

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So which religions forbid vaccination?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I agree with you, here is an article on topic...

Vaccine Freedom Wall: Nurse Fired for Refusing Flu Shot

If you were bullied, threatened or punished by a doctor, government official or employer for exercising voluntary, informed consent to vaccination, you can post a report and share your experience on NVIC's Cry for Vaccine Freedom Wall.

Following is an excerpt from a recent report posted in October 2018

"I am a BSN, RN that just got fired for refusing the flu shot. When I signed the employment agreement, it stated that a flu vaccine policy was in place and that I would agree to wear a mask if I had a religious or medical exemption. I specifically asked if religious exemptions were given and was told, "oh, yes." I signed the form fully believing that I would get a religious exemption and wear a mask for 6 months.

"Fast forward 5 months and I submitted a well-referenced letter requesting a religious exemption. It was denied and I was told if I did not submit to the flu shot I would be fired. I reminded them about what I signed and offered to wear a mask. I was told that would not protect the patients.

"I had been an excellent employee and loved my job. I asked if I could work Spring and Summer (like I just had) to fill in for vacations, etc. when it was no longer "flu season." I was told they would take me back immediately the minute I took the flu shot, but never without it. Some employees are allowed to mask. There is no mask or infection control/vaccine policy for visitors so I really don't think this is just about the health of the patients.

"Now I have lost a job that I loved and my livelihood. So many that I worked with didn't want the shot, but couldn't afford to get fired. If we all stood up together I believe it would end. My heart is broken and I worry about money, but this medical tyranny has to stop! It won't end with *just* the flu shot."

The employer likely denied the nurse's religious exemption request because there are no religious organizations that exist in the US which oppose vaccinations.

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