Patients who ask if you got a flu shot

[RxOnly]

For those of you that elect not to receive the Flu vaccine, how do you respond to those nosey patients who ask "Did YOU get a Flu shot this year?" ...I don't feel like I should have to lie and say yes, but I don't want to cause a great debate. They would usually ask while I was giving them the injection- I feel like all of our patients at the clinic asked me that last year and I fumbled with answers. This year I'm pregnant and don't want to hear it!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

"I don't talk about my personal medical details." quick change of subject ...

It's not a debate about vaccination ... it's a boundary. A firm one, at that.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

They don't have to ask at my facility. Either you got it and have a sticker on your ID, didn't get it for medical or religious reasons and have to wear a mask at all times from October through February, or didn't get it for an unapproved reason and no longer are an employee.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I've been wondering about this. I get a flu shot every year, and I have no problem telling people that, but the flu shot for pregnant women is not available yet, and I don't want to accidentally give away my pregnancy (I'm due in May).

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yep, same answer as Sweet Wild Rose - if you don't get it, it's pretty apparent, as you're required to wear a mask at all times.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I get the vaccine so I have no issue with being honest. I often use that as a starting point for patient education.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I say, "we evaluate each patient for a flu shot based on their medical history." Then, that turns the discussion back to the pt. Like above posters, what I do is irrelevant.

[chrisrn24]

You should get a flu shot! Unless you have a legitimate medical reason (as above: pregnancy, egg allergy)

[RxOnly]

I say, "we evaluate each patient for a flu shot based on their medical history." Then, that turns the discussion back to the pt. Like above posters, what I do is irrelevant.

Thanks for this- that was the point of my question: what to say to turn it back to the patient because it's not about me. I might try adding your quote to my usual script.

[RxOnly]

You should get a flu shot! Unless you have a legitimate medical reason (as above: pregnancy, egg allergy), frankly you sound like an idiot giving flu shots but not getting one yourself.

I have several legitimate reasons for not getting a flu shot, but it's not about me. I want to focus on the patient and not about my own reasons. Unfortunately many of my patients are a little nosey sometimes which makes that difficult.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

It is not about OUR choice when we are discussing our patient's decisions.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have several legitimate reasons for not getting a flu shot, but it's not about me. I want to focus on the patient and not about my own reasons. Unfortunately many of my patients are a little nosey sometimes which makes that difficult.

Just tell them...just like you I get my yearly check up and my doctor and I decide what I need....and just like you my medical history is private...smile sweetly and move on.....