Refusing the Influenza Vaccine

Merlyn · May 15, 2012

I'm finished with this thread. I've been in this business for over 40 years I know the difference between reactions from Durgs and the flu. I got the flu from the flu shot . Are you all flu shot salesmen. I was....what's the use.

CHESCCRP · May 15, 2012

Well...as long as you can procure documentation of your reaction(s), there is the way out you were looking for. You probably should ask your nursing program director about the policies, and if there is any way for you to complete your program given your circumstance.

I don't think anyone here is a flu shot salesperson, we are just giving accounts of our experiences with healthcare settings and vaccination policy. While I am not a nurse yet, I do have 9 years of clinical research experience and a Public Health degree. Vaccines work, but apparently not for everyone.

Epic_RN · May 15, 2012

Well...as long as you can procure documentation of your reaction(s), there is the way out you were looking for. You probably should ask your nursing program director about the policies, and if there is any way for you to complete your program given your circumstance.
I don't think anyone here is a flu shot salesperson, we are just giving accounts of our experiences with healthcare settings and vaccination policy. While I am not a nurse yet, I do have 9 years of clinical research experience and a Public Health degree. Vaccines work, but apparently not for everyone.

FYI -- Merlyn is not the OP, and not in school. He stated just a few posts back that he has over 40 years in the healthcare setting......

roser13, ASN, RN · May 15, 2012

"The Doctor told me that they did some test and found out that I was allergic to the flu shot that they had about 20 men and women out of thousands on Base, ( this was during Vietnam) that were allergic. "

Merlyn, I think your terminology is confusing. You are using the term "allergic" as in you were told you were allergic to the vaccine. However, influenza is not an allergic reaction.

That's why folks are confused and doubtful of your statements.

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · May 15, 2012

I'm finished with this thread. I've been in this business for over 40 years I know the difference between reactions from Durgs and the flu. I got the flu from the flu shot . Are you all flu shot salesmen. I was....what's the use.

You said yourself that you were told it was an allergic reaction to the flu shot. How is being allergic the same as getting the flu?

SanBow · May 15, 2012

Whats the problem just get it. I'd rather be vacunated. If there is no medical reason to not have it then just get it.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

I guess I was not clear enough. I had my first flu shot when I was in the Air Force. I was 18 years old. I Knew nothing of the Flu shots or medicine. I was in basic training.Two weeks after the flu shot, I was fighting for my life in the base hospital. The Doctor told me that they did some test and found out that I was allergic to the flu shot that they had about 20 men and women out of thousands on Base, ( this was during Vietnam) that were allergic. That they would get the flu if they got the shot.

That makes zero sense from a scientific point of you. You do not get a virus due to an allergic reaction.

He told me not to get the shot again. We fast forward about 55 years. I'm in the doctors office, I had just come off the night shift, I was tired. The Doc bought in a bunch of needles. He gave me them. Then he looked at my chart. He said I have down here that you are allergic to the Flu shot and I just gave you one. When was the last time you had one. I said 1966. He said "Well they have improved from then." This time it took three weeks for me to go to the hospital with the very same symptoms that I had over a half century ago. Never had the flu for 55 years. There you have something you can add to your nursing education. Anti-depressed can make some people more depressed, anti psychotic drugs can make more psychotic, and flu shots sometimes gives some people the flu. CDC web site says "rarely" get serious side effects. I
guess I'm the one of the 19 other people on earth that get the flu from the shot.

It is physically impossible to get the flu from a dead virus, which is what is contained in a flu shot. It IS possible that for whatever reason, your body did not produce antibodies to the virus in spite of being vaccinated (i.e., the flu shot just didn't work for you). Then, when you were exposed to the flu virus, you succumbed.

Also, having "flu-like symptoms" is not equivalent to being infected with the influenza virus.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

I'm finished with this thread. I've been in this business for over 40 years I know the difference between reactions from Durgs and the flu. I got the flu from the flu shot . Are you all flu shot salesmen. I was....what's the use.

Clearly you don't. In order for you to become infected with any virus, the virus must be able to replicate in healthy cells. Killed viruses have no ability to replicate period. You CANNOT become infected from a killed virus. It is physically impossible.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

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.

So what are you going to do if your clinical sites refuse to give you a waiver?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

That makes zero sense from a scientific point of you. You do not get a virus due to an allergic reaction.

Sigh. Should say "scientific point of view." Arghhhhhh.

Stephalump · May 17, 2012

I'm finished with this thread. I've been in this business for over 40 years I know the difference between reactions from Durgs and the flu. I got the flu from the flu shot . Are you all flu shot salesmen. I was....what's the use.

Do you? You've claimed to be allergic to the flu shot, and you've claimed to have been infected with the flu virus after getting the shot.

These things are not equivalent.

Something always happens the day/week/month before we get sick. We go shopping. We eat steak. We have sex. These things are not necessarily the cause of any illness that comes afterwards.

Is it weird that you got sick TWICE after the flu shot? On the surface, maybe, but it's not really a statistical anomaly. Like winning the lottery twice. Entirely possible.

More on topic, I have a friend in PT school in Texas who was just cleared from being vaccinated due to religious reasons. She had to fight, but she eventually just had to sign a waiver.

RLtinker, LPN · May 17, 2012

Some people are allergic to the flu shot, but its the egg protein left over from incubation process or preservatives, not the actual flu. The reactions are similar to other allergic reactions, such as swelling, hives, and/or anaphylaxis. This usually happens in a few minutes.

You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, but some people experience flu like side-effects. These side-effect usually only last a day or two.

As to O.P., your nursing office should have wavers you can sign, but there are usually stipulations such as it having to be against your religious beliefs.