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.
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, this seems like unfair punishment for something that they did not choose!
It is not a punishment, it's an infection control measure.
The definition of "fair" is having the rules equally applied to all; it would be unfair to exempt certain people from the requirement.
An employer can mandate you wear clown shoes and butterfly wings, they are businesses. I know of hospitals that have a zero nicotine policy and actually test for it. Their company, their right, their prerogative. Same as you having the free will mandate certain behavior in your home.
I'm no fan of people using false equivalencies but I'll still reply regardless. Mandating people get injected is in no way similar to wearing shoes. I would agree that Nicotine policy is disgustingly orwellian, that's even more abuse of power than injections, but the US system is obsessed with testing their staff.
I'm coming from a NHS position not a private healthcare system so I can appreciate if you work in a system where healthcare is based on profits people would be more inclined to appreciate this kind of position, not that I'm even opposed to it theoretically, I know how impossible it is to enforce people to wash their hands let alone getting them to wear a face mask 24/7.
not my job, as the opposition, to bring the proof. unless some one does/has done a large randomized study, there is no proof that it works. how in heck can any one with any scientific awareness not understand that?
I am trying so hard to understand your point but without capitals, appropriate punctuation and restriction of double negatives I am not able to understand. Could you please repost your position?
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
I had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine and can't get it and wear a mask. I work in the ED and to be honest the mask has helped me avoid a lot of illness that I might have gotten without it. There are more comfortable ones you can look into online. I think wearing a mask is a pain, but it does help prevent catching and giving illness. I am more mindful when I touch my face with the mask. The mask is a good idea even if you got the flu vaccine.
To clear something up. The manufacturer of compulsory childhood vaccines can't be held liable (and for good reason), however, there is a process for both reporting and being compensated for vaccine-related injuries. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program as a no-fault compensation program whereby petitions for monetary compensation may be brought by or on behalf of persons allegedly suffering injury or death as a result of the administration of certain compulsory childhood vaccines.
I know about the procedure you described. Thanks for the reminder.
What is the good reason the manufacturers should not be liable?
I know about the procedure you described. Thanks for the reminder.
What is the good reason the manufacturers should not be liable?
Many manufacturers stopped producing vaccines out of fear of lawsuits. The compensation program helps to keep manufacturers continue to make vaccines. As it is now, there is only one or two manufacturers for most childhood vaccines, in the US. Can you imagine if there no longer was a MMR vaccine in the US?
No one is making them do anything. They can choose to work elsewhere. This topic comes up at least yearly and always goes nowhere fast.
So every place pays the same? No, it doesn't not sweetie. In my area you can work for the hospital or you can take a $10 to $15 an hour pay cut at a clinic. That's not really a choice.
Many hospital policies leave me wondering why; however, the fact is either you accept their terms or not work for them.
However, think of it from the organization's perspective. An employee gets sick with the flu, because they couldn't get the vaccine and refused to wear the mask. They still have to pay for the costs of the employee getting sick.
What about reactions from the vaccine? I had a co-worker that ended up in the ER and had a three day hospital stay after her flu shot. HR told her it didn't fall under workman's comp and she had to use her PTO and pay any out of pocket healthcare expenses associated with her stay.
Thats not including other more minor reactions. This year I had to call out two days because within hours of driving home from mine I had generalized body aches and overwhelming fatigue. This was a similar reaction several of my co-workers had this year. Our PTO paid for that too.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
So every place pays the same? No, it doesn't not sweetie. In my area you can work for the hospital or you can take a $10 to $15 an hour pay cut at a clinic. That's not really a choice.
Sweetie? Really?
I didn't see anywhere that Sour Lemon suggested that every place pays the same?
What about reactions from the vaccine? I had a co-worker that ended up in the ER and had a three day hospital stay after her flu shot. HR told her it didn't fall under workman's comp and she had to use her PTO and pay any out of pocket healthcare expenses associated with her stay.
Thats not including other more minor reactions. This year I had to call out two days because within hours of driving home from mine I had generalized body aches and overwhelming fatigue. This was a similar reaction several of my co-workers had this year. Our PTO paid for that too.
I think you may be reaching for causation that isn't really there.
An influenza vaccine should trigger an immune response in order for it to work, aches and fatigue are part of that response. While I get that's it's not fun, it's better than the actual flu which can put you in an ICU on a vent and ECMO and yet end up dying anyway.
bgxyrnf, MSN, RN
1,208 Posts
It is not a punishment, it's an infection control measure.
The definition of "fair" is having the rules equally applied to all; it would be unfair to exempt certain people from the requirement.