Mandatory Vaccine Waiver in Nursing School/Clinicals

[firecracker_1]

Hey guys, I have a question for anyone else who is a fellow "non-vaccinator" or against mandatory vaccination. What did you do for nursing school, particularly clinical locations immunization requirements? After a lot of research, I've found that while many nurses can sign immunization waivers that are offered by some hospitals, etc., I haven't heard of a nursing student who has successfully avoided vaccination requirements associated with nursing school and clinical facilities.

I am well aware that vaccination is a very controversial subject in the medical field and many feel strongly on both sides of the issue. My intention is not to debate or discuss the merits of vaccinations, but to hear from other nurses and nursing students who challenged the vaccine requirements and how you went about it.

I look forward to hearing from you!

[adnat86]

Here.I.Stand said:

As far as getting vaccines while pregnant: I found out I was, prior to beginning my public health practicum in my RN-BSN program. My titers showed susceptibility for measles, rubeola, and varicella. Since I couldn't receive the required boosters while pregnant, I had to defer the class until after the delivery. There was no exception: no shots, no class.

Thank you for the info. Did you get the MMRV vaccines when you were younger? I got MMR (Varicella wasn't out yet, but I did have chicken pox). But I got positive antibody titers for Varicella, so I believe as long as you produce positive antibody titers you won't have to get boosters. Not sure if that was the case for you?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

adnat86 said:

I'm not stupid. I asked about temporary exemptions during school. Please learn how to read before replying to a comment.

You want to be treated as an intelligent human being, but have no trouble displaying the behavior you just criticized.

Pot meet kettle.

[broughden]

So OP wants to enter medical field, but doesnt believe in current standard medical practices....with zero actual education in the subject.

[imagine7generations]

Very happy to see someone going through the opt out route! Where there is a will there is a way! There are plenty of M.D.s, Nurse Practitioners and Chiropractors who are anti-vax. They need Nurses for doing the ever more popular IV vitamin therapy among other duties. I think the harder part will be getting through the red tape of opting out of vaccines for school. You will have to find a place to do your practicum that does not require vaccines, which there are plenty.

I too am looking for a personal story of someone who followed the procedures to opt out of any vaccines through nursing and/or medical school. There are plenty of M.D.s who are anti-vax but I do not know any that started that way. Because the medical schools leave out so much important information on vaccines, many medical professionals do not find out until after medical school, the full truth about vaccines. I highly recommend reading Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History [2013] By Suzanne Humphries MD and Roman Bystrianyk

Would love to hear any further progress you might have made!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You will have to find a place to do your practicum that does not require vaccines, which there are plenty.

No, actually there are not. And the science supporting vaccines is about 1.2 million stronger than the junk voodoo you're pitching.

[NewNurs2020]

I don't think I have ever seen a clinical site that didn't have some type of vaccine requirement. My school lets you decline the flu shot for any reason BUT you have to wear a mask at all times during flu season. If your a non responder to vaccines you have to get counseled on those diseases and how you can protect yourself but most ppl don't even know if they are non responders unless they have had multiple vaccinations and multiple titers.

[amynye]

Direw0lf - FWIW - I am pro vaccine. However titers are ALWAYS a better option than vaccines. If someone has immunity it's far better to test the levels than to give unneccesary meds. I think most all medical professionals would agree with that.

With dogs for example - the vaccine is typically effective for a range of 7-10 years and the vaccine itself can have some adverse reactions. Is rabies more dangerous than the reactions? YES!!! Should I get vaccinated if I have immunity? Hell no! :)

The OP isn't asking about how to stay immune to diseases, that isn't this person's concern about factual immunity - they want to know how to get out of what they consider ineffective or not worth it vaccinations. What you suggested is logical and this person is not :)

[amynye]

At Imagine ----

Suzanne Humphries suggested that measles were no longer a fatal disease when the vaccine was introduced? It was a HUGE problem until after the vaccine was developed.... She denies this fact that has been proven time and time again. ( I have references for my non anecdotal info) :)

Pinkbook | Measles | Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases | CDC

She misrepresents it as being minimal despite 90% of people under the age of 15 getting it at the time. She cites that rate of death and suggest this implies measles was no longer a global health issue nor did it require vaccination.

She argues that it isn't a "serious illness" despite the blindness, encephalitis respiratory issues and suffering it caused over 140, 000 Americans each year. (In 1960 when hospitalization wasn't as prevalent)

The Netherlands did a fancy little study on the bible thumpers that chose not to vaccinate during the outbreak in 2004-05 - Measles Epidemic in The Netherlands, 1999-2 | The Journal of Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic

Her next argument is that the measles vaccine causes pneumonia and brain damage. Yep it did - like twice in 1967 and it was pulled and replaced. Please note the study on this Altered Reactivity to Measles Virus: Atypical Measles in Children Previously Immunized With Inactivated Measles Virus Vaccines | JAMA | JAMA Network

She argues the vaccine is deadly - without a single example of why or who or how??? *****

She goes on to state the only true thing in the book - that the risk of an adverse reaction from the vaccine is 0.00006% and the chance of getting the measle and having severe complications prior to vaccinations is (this is going to shock and awe!) is a GREATER CHANCE! SURPRISE!!!!

Getting sick and permanent complications? 0.1% prior to the vaccine. Wow - the odds seem to be scientifically in favor of the vaccine.

This is why I think homeopathy is crap (for unhealthy people or at risk populations) and shouldn't be touted as medicine. It's not.

[Biancawhite]

Hi, just wondering if you've found a solution to this? I am looking for a school in my area that accepts medical exemption and it doesn't look promising, I'm not sure what to do :-(

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Get immunized like a sensible.person who understands science and wants to not get a preventable disease?

[jeannaj2012]

wow how ignorant, fun fact people who are fully vaccinated are actually sicker than those who do not vaccinate!

[jeannaj2012]

vaccines do not prevent diseases, do the research. proper hygiene and nutrition are what has helped with the decrease in diseases! Acctually a few of the vaccines can make you an asymptomatic carrier for up to 6 weeks meaning you can pass on the so called disease even though you do not show symptoms!