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?

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.

So what? I had a reaction to this years shot too. Mine lasted 5 days and included large muscle weakness that had them a little concerned. Guess what? I got over it and I'll be getting my shot next year too. You know why? Because I'd rather have a few days of discomfort than an eternity of being dead too soon.

A friend, who is an inactive RN (worked as RN for a year or so then left to be a stay-at-home mom, which is great too) shared a thing on Facebok just yesterday about this topic. There's an article out there saying that it is illegal for your employer to mandate a flu vaccine OR wearing a mask, as it vioaltes religious freedoms and is a HIPAA violation. The article states that you can not be forced to be vaccinated if your religion forbids it, which is true, but that wearing the mask is the same violation because you are "singled out" for your religious beliefs. It also says that wearing a mask is a HIPAA violation because it lets others know that you did not get a vaccine just by looking at your work attire. That is a bit of a stretch as HIPAA has nothing to do with employees, and I don't see how it's a violation of religious freedoms because people can refuse the flu vaccine for more reasons than just religion, such as a true allergy to the vaccine itself.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Not a HIPAA violation.

Specializes in PICU.
A friend, who is an inactive RN (worked as RN for a year or so then left to be a stay-at-home mom, which is great too) shared a thing on Facebok just yesterday about this topic. There's an article out there saying that it is illegal for your employer to mandate a flu vaccine OR wearing a mask, as it vioaltes religious freedoms and is a HIPAA violation. The article states that you can not be forced to be vaccinated if your religion forbids it, which is true, but that wearing the mask is the same violation because you are "singled out" for your religious beliefs. It also says that wearing a mask is a HIPAA violation because it lets others know that you did not get a vaccine just by looking at your work attire. That is a bit of a stretch as HIPAA has nothing to do with employees, and I don't see how it's a violation of religious freedoms because people can refuse the flu vaccine for more reasons than just religion, such as a true allergy to the vaccine itself.

Very hard to make a connection that someone wearing a mask did not get the flu vaccine as there are many other reasons to wear a mask. Some people wear a mask becuase they may be immunosupressed themselves and are proecting themselves. Others may feel sick. I have known others who do it becuase they are worried about getting the flu. ANd then, yes.... there are those who now have to wear the mask because they did not get the flu vaccine for whatever reason.

A friend, who is an inactive RN (worked as RN for a year or so then left to be a stay-at-home mom, which is great too) shared a thing on Facebok just yesterday about this topic. There's an article out there saying that it is illegal for your employer to mandate a flu vaccine OR wearing a mask, as it vioaltes religious freedoms and is a HIPAA violation. The article states that you can not be forced to be vaccinated if your religion forbids it, which is true, but that wearing the mask is the same violation because you are "singled out" for your religious beliefs. It also says that wearing a mask is a HIPAA violation because it lets others know that you did not get a vaccine just by looking at your work attire. That is a bit of a stretch as HIPAA has nothing to do with employees, and I don't see how it's a violation of religious freedoms because people can refuse the flu vaccine for more reasons than just religion, such as a true allergy to the vaccine itself.

Outside of the Dutch Reformed Church there is no major religion that prohibits vaccinations. This includes all forms of Judeo-Christian and Eastern religions as well as the Amish, Muslims and Jehovah Witnesses.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
A friend, who is an inactive RN (worked as RN for a year or so then left to be a stay-at-home mom, which is great too) shared a thing on Facebok just yesterday about this topic. There's an article out there saying that it is illegal for your employer to mandate a flu vaccine OR wearing a mask, as it vioaltes religious freedoms and is a HIPAA violation. The article states that you can not be forced to be vaccinated if your religion forbids it, which is true, but that wearing the mask is the same violation because you are "singled out" for your religious beliefs. It also says that wearing a mask is a HIPAA violation because it lets others know that you did not get a vaccine just by looking at your work attire. That is a bit of a stretch as HIPAA has nothing to do with employees, and I don't see how it's a violation of religious freedoms because people can refuse the flu vaccine for more reasons than just religion, such as a true allergy to the vaccine itself.

Except it doesn't. How many objectors really forego vaccination because of religious beliefs? I don't have data, but nearly all objections I have seen have nothing to do with religion.

We wear a mask when we get the sniffles... does THAT violate our privacy? Of course not.

I personally have some modesty practices that are similar to those of a certain religious group. At least once a week at work, I get asked if I am a member of said group... usually BY members of said group. I'm sure others have their assumptions. Actually one visitor immediately started calling me "sister."

Work goes on. If someone asks, I say "no, I just like to be covered up." or simply "no."

I have NEVER heard of anyone seeing a mask asking, "You wear a mask... do you practice Christian Science?" (ETA: CS doesn't even forbid vaccines! I just looked it up.)

I have MANY times been asked, "Are [the pt] on precautions? Should I wear a mask?" To which I replied, "No, I have a cold I don't want to spread." It never once occurred to me that my privacy rights were being violated... and an URI is actual MEDICAL/HEALTH information.

But if one IS by chance asked about religion, they have the choice to answer yes or no, truthfully or no.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Besides, religion isn't PHI.

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.

That's pretty much the definition of a choice, sweetie.

would someone please provide the stats that back up getting the flu shot, TIA.

Yes - According to the CDC, 80% of the 185 pediatric flu deaths last year occurred in unvaccinated children.

Summary of the 2

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
at least you responded, you will notice that none of the bit guns here did. give me a reason to get the shot, prove it works, ie you can not

Ok in my humble 46.5 years of being an RN....

The strains are not always accurate,

The preservatives are neurotoxin

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
Pardon me, but this is baloney. Get the shot or be stigmatized by having to wear a mask. That is force.

Stigmatized? I think not.

Plenty of people at both of my workplaces decline to be vaccinated and hence wear masks. These are fine nurses and nobody gives a rip whether or not they are wearing a mask.

I often wear a mask DESPITE being vaccinated (twice) because there's plenty of crap that I don't in my lungs besides the few strains of influenza contained in the vaccine. Nobody cares.

It most certainly is NOT force by any definition of the word.

The preservatives are neurotoxin

1. There are no preservatives in single-dose formulations.

2. You don't seem to understand rudimentary principles of toxicity after 46.5 years.

3. Here are some other "neurotoxins" to avoid to be safe: food, water, air, and alcohol.

Cheers.

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