Mandatory Vaccines and the Law.

[Jo Dirt]

I got through LPN school, ASN school, and two jobs (one in a major hospital on the tele floor) declining the hepatitis B vaccine. Now, I am trying to arrange clinicals for the BSN program and the person in admissions is telling me I must have the HBV vaccine before I can be admitted into any healthcare facilities.

I know this is not true, but I'm easily intimidated (not a good trait but it's my nature) and now I'm upset over this woman giving me a hassle.

I'm not wanting to debate whether or not a person should have this vaccine. I just want to know if anyone knows the name of the law or where it can be found where a person has the right to reject vaccinations.

I've signed a waiver every time and with no trouble or "you should really do this" from anyone. Now, this secretary is giving me a lot of trouble.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

And there are legitimate reasons for having the waiver, too.

In your opinion. Unlike childhood education, your attendance and participation as a student in a university or at a hospital during clinicals is not mandatory. If a school and its associated hospitals don't want to work with you, you're out of luck.

[justme1972]

I think you really, really need to think about your decision.

If you were a person in the general population, I would say there was absolutely nothing wrong with you not taking the Hep B vaccine, because chances are, your exposure is going to be very limited.

If the vaccine was relatively new, I sure as heck would support you in not being the first to volunteer to step up to the plate to take it.

However, your exposure to body fluids, blood, sharps will be significantly increased as a healthcare professional.

I understand parents being extra cautious with vaccines and children. They have fragile, undeveloped immune systems. However, that isn't quite the case with adults....it is ridiculously rare.

They cannot force you to take the vaccine, however, there is also no law that states that a facility must allow you to work there if that is their policy.

[justme1972]

Yes there is.

I have to agree with Methylene on this one.

An institution has the legal right to protect it's employees and patients in any way they see fit, as long as they are consistent in those practices.

Public or private, doesn't matter.

If you go to the EEOC.gov website, you'll find out that refusal of vaccines is not a legally protected class for employment...if you don't see it in the Equal Employment statement...it's not a protected class.

[justme1972]

That is what I am asking you all. I know it is there, I just don't know where.

I've never had to give a religious reason for refusing the HBV. I did have to have a pastor write a letter for my children to get into public school.

When I got a job at St. Thomas I just signed a waiver. Same for where I work now and when I went to nursing school.

I am certain this secretary does not know what she is talking about because I faced the same dilemma when I went to LPN school. They told me in NO uncertain terms would I be allowed in ANY medical facility without being vaccinated because vaccines were THE LAW and I must have mine.

This had me really upset and when I talked to the director all she did was pull out the waiver for me to sign. A lot of people are ignorant and never question things like this.

Here is what you are looking for.

Certain states allow for PERSONAL objections to certain vaccines that are not related to a religious group/sect, etc.

Tennessee, is not one of those states.

http://909shot.com/state-site/legal-exemptions.htm

Not sure if I set up the link correctly, but if you copy and paste it, it should work.

[Jo Dirt]

Well, the school apparently sees it my way, too, because I talked to my advisor and I can sign (another) waiver.

It's good, though. Even if I was not distrustful of vaccines I don't know how in the world they could have held me down for an IM injection. It freaks me out just to think of it.

[CuriousMe]

Well, the school apparently sees it my way, too, because I talked to my advisor and I can sign (another) waiver.

It's good, though. Even if I was not distrustful of vaccines I don't know how in the world they could have held me down for an IM injection. It freaks me out just to think of it.

I'm so glad everything worked out for you. But what a silly thing to say....no one would have laid a hand on you without permission....if the program required it and you didn't want a vaccination....they would have just dropped you from the program. No assault or battery involved.

I wish you the best in your program.

[holisticmedia]

To those who wondered about state exemptions and your rights to avoid mandatory vaccines, you can check out the National Vaccine Information's Center's website at http://www.nvic.org or http://www.909shot.com. Most states have religious and medical exemptions, some have philosophical exemptions. My belief is that one should never vaccinate out of fear. It's your body. Vaccines carry risks and side-effects just like any other medical procedure. Make informed choices.