The flu shot making people sick

[psu_213]

It's not my intention to start a debate on the flu shot, but I'm afraid it's going to happen in this thread. Oh well, here we go....

I work in the ER. About 6 nurses were talking last evening about the flu shot. The vaccination is highly encouraged at out hospital, but not required. 4 of the nurses said they would not get it and all four INSISTED that flu shots make them deathly ill. One nurse even said that when she worked in oncology, she was required to get the flu shot and then "spent the next 3 days curled up in bed." The next year, when required to get the shot, an oncology doctor told her the shot would not make her sick, but she told the doc "yeah right, I spent 3 days in bed with a high fever...there is no way you are making me take that again."

I don't want a debate about someone's right to refuse the flu shot; however, I was stunned by the level of ignorance by these nurses. There are reasons to not get the shot, but saying "the shot makes me sick" is not one of them.

OK, so that was a rant....just try and resist the urge to argue for or against required flu shots.

[babywhisperer333, BSN]

they have the choice. They just have to take other precautions to protect the patients-wearing the mask. No one is being forced to inject toxins into their bodies, they are encouraged to get a flu vaccine....because evidence based practice shows that nurses who don't get the vaccine are more likely to get the flu and pass it on to the patients. I personally wouldn't want to work in a place where all nurses refused the vaccine, had to call in sick, forcing others to work overtime. Or worse, came to work sick and made the other staff and patients sick.

[MedChica]

I work on the w/ends. So, I just rec'vd my shot on Sunday. That way, I've a week to recuperate from soreness and whatnot.

Anyway, this is interesting because I've a cousin who rec'vd her shot and she's sick today. This is attributed to the flu vacc. Then again, she was sick last weekend. LOL So, who knows?

Everyone gets their flu shots where I work. The most that I've seen is a sore arm and general 'malaise'. I'd say that someone needs to conduct a study.

Personally, I work with elders. So, it makes sense to get my vaccs. When you work with the very old, very young and those with compromised immune systems...? Well - protecting the vulnerable is about half the reason why we get shots in the first place, isn't it?

[Anne36, LPN]

The only way this conversation is even meaningful is if you believe the flu vaccine works. There is not a lot of good evidence for that. The CDC explains what a toss up that is very well on their website if anyone cares to take a look. I would recommend other sources, but I know there are too many people who think only a government sponsered website can be credible, LOL> .

[leckzieloo]

Our hospital has a crazy policy that if you don't get a flu shot you MUST wear a mask anytime you are within 3 feet of a patient regardless of their diagnosis. Being caught around the patient without a mask can result in termination. Even though I think the policy is ridiculous I've always gotten the flu shot and only have gotten sick one time which i blame on my nieces, not the flu shot Our facility is extremely persistent on asking if you've felt sick at all BEFORE you get the flu shot. If you have then you're not required to take it.

So of course if you're experiencing symptoms before hand then it is likely you might get sick because of something you already had not because of the vaccination.

[T-Bird78]

Could it have been a severe allergic reaction? Not necessarily to the egg component of the vaccine (which is safe to give to pts with a history of egg allergy) but the vaccine itself?

[T-Bird78]

For all those saying they refuse to take vaccinations for work, can I ask if you had to get the Hep B series for nursing school or to start work? Just wondering if you refused that one also.

[Born_2BRN]

Flue shot does not make you sick but it makes you feel uncomfortable flue like symptoms. Your body at this time making antibodies to protect shall you experience real bugs. I felt the same way bed-bound for three days after flue shot. IB helps!

[Guest343211]

Everyone's immune system is somewhat different. People do get sick symptoms with the flu shot. And then some years they get the strong response and sick symptoms and some years they don't. It depends on many variables.

What you have to do is weigh the benefits over the risks of taking the flu shot FOR YOU. If the benefits don't outweigh the risks, get a physician's note.

This is basic--with just about any childhood immunization, many of us witnessed illness-like symptoms, for which the pediatrician said, give them fluid and tylenol. When the immune system gets too worked up, definitely sick symptoms are produced, and even complications can arise. Again, it depends on the individual and her/his immune system. Just b/c some people haven't had or yet had a strong immune response from a vaccine, doesn't mean it doesn't happen in others. I does, and it does a good amount of the time.

But if you are concerned that you will be sick for a matter of days after getting the shot; well, you have to plan for it--meaning you try to ensure that you aren't working or doing anything for the next couple of days after the shot.

Honestly, if you dig, you will find valid controversy over flu vaccines. Not going there now; you have to dig and do the work yourself, but it's out there and it is worthy or studying. It's really more complicated than people want to admit. So, I still, have mixed feelings about it.

But if you have the benefits versus risks in your favor and can deal with it, take it.

Frankly I am still not convinced on the thing pro or con. But if you must take the risk of taking it for work, and you are concerned you will get harsh symptoms after administration, which many people do, you have to plan to get it when you have a couple of days off from work--and then just stay away from other people with colds and such. You don't want a double whamming as your immune system is making it's adjustment.

OP: LOL. You can say you don't want a debate over the flu vaccine; but the nature of its controversy or that it may be mandated, especially if you work in the children' s hospitals, can easily produce a debate. LOL. This is a perennial favor for debate!

[Aniroc]

I refuse to take them. Why? For starters it's unnecessary I think our immune system needs to be tested every so often and the flu does just that it keeps our bodies in check. Secondly it's not even a 100% effective shot they just guess which strain will be in this year out of thousands, sounds like a shot in the dark to me.

Actually, when you get a vaccine you body IS being tested. Vaccines, most of them except for live vaccines, contain small parts of the dead enemy. Its enough to activate your immune system to recognize the intruder and start making antibodies against that foreign body. Besides that, your body is tested everyday agains the heaps of other common viruses and bacteria that we come in contact with.

While there is some guess work with which influenza virus they make vaccines for, its based on pattens seen in the rest of the world the year previous. They can detect its type and travel pattern hence make the appropriate and most common influenza vaccine. ITs not a shot in the dark but a very educated guess (though still a guess).

[Lajimolala, BSN, RN, NP]

I personally still think the vaccine helps. Three days bed bound is still so much better than two weeks or more, or hospitalization. However, the flu vaccine is optional and people should have a right to decide for themselves.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I'm stunned by the ignorance of people that don't realize that some people do have pretty severe flu-like symptoms after vaccination.

Two thirds of the nurses in this discussion at work? I find that difficult to believe.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I believe in too many conspiracies to get ANY kind of vaccine. I hope a future job I may have doesn't require everyone to get them.

I have to assume you're a student who is still in the pre-requisite phase and haven't yet started any clinicals? Because if you were already a nursing student IN the program, you'd already know you WILL be required to have a full slate of vaccinations in order to be admitted to the clinical site. The facilities that host your school for clinical work WILL require you to have these vaccinations.....or you will not be allowed to proceed in the program.

So.....is the next conspiracy you're going to buy into going to be that you are being forced to quit nursing school by pharmaceutical companies or the government?