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!

[FlorenceNtheMachine]

I get my flu vaccine so I don't have any issues with answering. But I can see how if I chose not to, how I would not like debating with someone about my choice.

How about just saying "I have an egg allergy?"

I used to tell patients/customers who would hit on me that I was married long before I was. It's not the worst lie in the world to tell, and I don't live on a slippery slope and know the difference.

I'm off to rob banks now!

[TraumaSurfer]

It is a very valid question especially if the patient has been through a cardiac or pulmonary rehab, chemo or rad tx, tranplant recipient or on the candidate list or any other immunosupressive disorder where they have under gone extensive education by RNs who stress the importance of flu avoidance. It is not so much as being nosey as it is self preservation. You also should not be offended if they ask you to wear a mask and ask you to was your hands before touching them with or without gloves.

[MunoRN, RN]

We have signs all over our hospital that encourage patients and families to ask their caregivers if they have "gelled", which I think is a good idea. Patients and families need to advocate for their own safety, I don't see how asking staff if they've been vaccinated is any different.

The root of the problem seems to be that staff don't like being asked questions for which they don't have a justifiable answer.

[T-Bird78]

I get my flu vaccine so I don't have any issues with answering. But I can see how if I chose not to, how I would not like debating with someone about my choice.

How about just saying "I have an egg allergy?"

I used to tell patients/customers who would hit on me that I was married long before I was. It's not the worst lie in the world to tell, and I don't live on a slippery slope and know the difference.

I'm off to rob banks now!

Except that won't work anymore. It is safe for egg allergy pts to receive the flu shot, has been for a couple of years now.

I get mine every year, but if I didn't I'd probably say I hadn't received it yet but will get it next week.

[FLMom3, RN]

Btw, it is safe and recommended by the CDC that pregnant women get the flu vaccine...

[klone, MSN, RN]

Btw, it is safe and recommended by the CDC that pregnant women get the flu vaccine...

I didn't realize that was in question.

[FLMom3, 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).

This is why I posted my last comment, klone...

[klone, MSN, RN]

This is why I posted my last comment, klone...

Ah, I missed that, thanks

[BlueLightRN]

I got mine today so I'd just say, yes, I don't want to have a higher risk of flu so I got one. No biggie.

[MelodyNelson, LVN]

Btw, it is safe and recommended by the CDC that pregnant women get the flu vaccine...

Tell that to the thousands of mothers that lost their babies to the 2009 swine flu shot.

http://thepopulist.net/2010/09/17/h1n1-vaccines-contributed-to-3587-miscarriages-and-stillbirths-in-2009/

As for the original question. When my patients ask me, I am honest: I would not touch that shot with a ten foot pole.

Then I hand them the insert to read it, and come to their own conclusions.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Tell that to the thousands of mothers that lost their babies to the 2009 swine flu shot.

http://thepopulist.net/2010/09/17/h1n1-vaccines-contributed-to-3587-miscarriages-and-stillbirths-in-2009/

As for the original question. When my patients ask me, I am honest: I would not touch that shot with a ten foot pole.

Then I hand them the insert to read it, and come to their own conclusions.

Are you aware that the linked website has sections about "9/11 truth" and "the elders of Zion?"

[dannibeeRN]

Not sure where you live but here in Cali it's mandatory that all healthcare workers get a flu shot. If they refuse for any reason, they have to wear a mask during all patient care. Deflect the question back to the patient if you don't want to disclose your personal info.