Refusing the Influenza Vaccine

[TheAmazingMrsA]

This may have already been talked about... so I apologize. I tried searching for a similar thread, but couldn't find one. I received my acceptance letter yesterday, with a date of June 1st to complete my health related requirements (i.e., vaccines, medical insurance, etc.). One of the requirements posted on the paperwork is the annual Influenza vaccine. I don't want the vaccine, and have no intention of getting it. I'm fully vaccinated for everything else, except Influenza. I won't start the whole mess of trying to explain my reasoning of not wanting the vaccine (it's a personal choice, and there's no need to start those arguments)... I just need to find out if anyone is in the same boat and if they successfully refused.

[sauconyrunner]

Most likely you will be required to get the vaccine. Most hospitals are going to require it for clinical experience. Being a student in a facility is not a right, so the school has to abide by what is set out, or they can be asked not to return.

I can recommend the Preservative free vaccine. I think it is much better tolerated than the other one.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Google Search Results for flu shots

There you go many many threads about flu shots. I am not sure about schools but many facilities require them.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I would guess that, as others have said, your school requires this because it's a requirement of the clinical sites. If hospitals don't offer waivers to their staff, they're not going to offer them to students. It would affect the hospital to lose their staff over this, it has no effect on them to lose potential students. The hospitals are likely requiring the schools they do business with to require it for their students or else they won't offer clinical rotations to these students.

When I worked in the hospital, they threatened termination for anyone who did not get the flu vaccine by 12/1. There was no option to wear a mask, and the only exceptions were for people with a documented egg allergy or a history of Guillain Barre syndrome.

[Twinkle007, LVN, RN]

theamazingmrsa i have exact the same problem ,thx for posting

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

When I started school we were required to give them proof of vaccination for the standard childhood vaccines (MMR, diphtheria, etc.). When we got to our one clinical site they had just changed policy so that all staff and students needed titers for all vaccines (my MMR was low, so I had to get it again...and it burned like a mother ). We never had to the get a flu shot...although were I worked required it--only a doctor's note got you out of it there. My guess is, since they can require the other vaccines, they can require the flu shot as well. I suppose you could look into how to get an exception, but, as someone else mentioned, you do don't want to be labelled a troublemaker before clinicals even start.

[katsAcrazy]

Well, the hospital I work at requires the vaccine if you have any patient contact. I once disagreed with this until I realized I might be healthy, but I could be carrying the virus to an immunosuppressed patient. After gaining further education with the vaccine I learned it could prevent a patient from becoming very sick or even dying from a life threatening flu. The flu would only knock me on my feet for a few days, but could be serious for another population specifically hospital patients. If you want to be a nurse you need to begin to understand that a lot of what you do is for the person you are working for, not yourself. I am ready to sacrifice my own beliefs for the health and wellness of my patients. You should be prepared to do anything for them specifically putting any biases to rest. There is research that has gone into this idea of the flu vaccine and at this moment in time they recommend it, and sometimes require it for a beneficial reason. It wouldn't become a policy in some places if it hadn't been fully studied.

[Merlyn]

I have gotten it only twice in my life once in the Air Force and the other was about two years ago when my doctor hid it in a bunch of shots I needed for a job. Both times I got the flu and almost died. You can refuse it. It's Your right.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

You can refuse it. It's Your right.

The OP certainly has a right to refuse it, but I'm guessing that the school has the right not to allow her to continue as a student. I would make sure to know the consequences before you out and out refuse it.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I have gotten it only twice in my life once in the Air Force and the other was about two years ago when my doctor hid it in a bunch of shots I needed for a job. Both times I got the flu and almost died. You can refuse it. It's Your right.

There is no evidence showing you can get the flu from flu shots.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Choose your battles wisely. You will likely lose this one and alienate many in the process.

[student987]

There is no evidence showing you can get the flu from flu shots.

There has actually been evidence to the contrary (aka you can NOT get the flu from the flu shot)

[amoLucia]

Most likely you will be required to get the vaccine. Most hospitals are going to require it for clinical experience. Being a student in a facility is not a right, so the school has to abide by what is set out, or they can be asked not to return.

I can recommend the Preservative free vaccine. I think it is much better tolerated than the other one.

What about Tamiflu??? Will they allow it as an alternative?