They are trying to force the DTaP vaccine on me.

[Jo Dirt]

I'm trying to register for the last semester of classes at the university, but they won't let me until I have the DTaP vaccination.

Whether you believe in vaccinations or you don't, this really isn't about that. It's about trying to reason with beaurocracy.

When the woman (I don't know if she was an instructor or part of the clerical staff) told me that it wasn't the school's rule, I asked her who's rule it was. She told me it was the rule of the hospital where the clinicals would take place.

#1. This seems odd to me, because I was hired on at this very same hospital (I don't work there now, no I wasn't fired) and getting a DTaP vaccine never came up.

#2. I only have one class to take (Professional Leadership) and I'm most certain it is not going to require going to the hospital.

#3. What was with all this crap shoved down our throats in Community Health Nursing about respecting and honoring diversity and others' beliefs, even those such as JWs who don't accept blood products?

#4. I read one of the SE's can be seizures. Since I already have seizures (the staring kind) I wouldn't think I should expose my little body to more substances that might cause more seizures-wonder of that would be a valid argument?)

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Take your concerns for your family Dr and if he backs you, have him write a letter to your school stating in his medical opinion he is advising you NOT to get the vaccine.

Good Luck

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

Most colleges have rules about what vaccines you must have before they will let you register.

College/University is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, Colleges/Universities can set their own entrance requirements. (that's a little simplistic, but in the main it is true)

In this case, I think they are trying to do a good thing, and catch those who have not had vaccinations when they were younger. Whooping cough is making a comeback in several areas in the US, there was a pronounced outbreak in Kern county were I used to live. And Tetorifice is something that should be updated regularly. There is no cure for Tetorifice, only prevention. It is a horrible way to die, by the way. So....there is some method to their madness. It isn't just an arbitrary thing....

[Jo Dirt]

Most colleges have rules about what vaccines you must have before they will let you register.

College/University is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, Colleges/Universities can set their own entrance requirements. (that's a little simplistic, but in the main it is true)

In this case, I think they are trying to do a good thing, and catch those who have not had vaccinations when they were younger. Whooping cough is making a comeback in several areas in the US, there was a pronounced outbreak in Kern county were I used to live. And Tetorifice is something that should be updated regularly. There is no cure for Tetorifice, only prevention. It is a horrible way to die, by the way. So....there is some method to their madness. It isn't just an arbitrary thing....

That's hocus pocus set forth by the pharmaceutical companies (who also make hefty donations to the government to fund "independent research.")

And the university reps says that it is not "their" requirement, but the hospital's. Why would the hospital require it of students but not employees?

[ErraticThinker]

to be honest i'm kind of surprised that you're so resistant to something that's designed to protect you, though i understand the concern over your history of seizures. But most side effects beyond a sore arm are pretty rare. If you're that worried talk to your PCP.

Reality is we're in a profession that'll get us exposed to just about anything so we might as well protect ourselves. Usually it is the hospitals that makes these rules for documenting immunizations for nursing students. I don't know if you worked there as a nurse in the past, but at least at my institution they wanted documentation that i was up to date on my immunizations.

and no offense, but in terms of point #3, the main difference here is that JW's have a deeply routed spiritual belief, and you seem to just not want to get a shot. So thats the main distinction when it comes to respecting diversity and beliefs. The argument doesn't work too well if you've accepted other immunizations that list some rare nasty side effects as well.

[tryingtohaveitall]

That's hocus pocus set forth by the pharmaceutical companies (who also make hefty donations to the government to fund "independent research.")

And the university reps says that it is not "their" requirement, but the hospital's. Why would the hospital require it of students but not employees?

What is hocus pocus by the pharmaceutical companies?

I have personally seen a large number of children with pertussis, an unfortunate few who have died. I happily got my DTaP last month. Well, not gleefully because it did hurt, but I do believe part of protecting the little ones from pertussis is updating older children and adults' immunity against it.

[tryingtohaveitall]

#4. I read one of the SE's can be seizures. Since I already have seizures (the staring kind) I wouldn't think I should expose my little body to more substances that might cause more seizures-wonder of that would be a valid argument?)

I could be corrected, my understanding is that the acellular pertussis vaccine doesn't have the risk of seizures that the previous pertussis vaccine did. My oldest has brain malformations that could put her at risk of having seizures, when I questioned her ped about this long ago, he gave her the acellular pertussis instead of what was the prevailing vaccine at the time. However, I certainly understand your concerns.

[michigooseBSN]

I would think the hospital is thinking more about protecting its vulnerable patients than worrying about whether a student nurse might catch something. This is called "Herd Immunity" In other words, healthy people who are unimmunized place others who cannot be immunized (immunosuppresed, newborn, frail eldery etc) at risk of their lives.

[Jo Dirt]

I would think the hospital is thinking more about protecting its vulnerable patients than worrying about whether a student nurse might catch something. This is called "Herd Immunity" In other words, healthy people who are unimmunized place others who cannot be immunized (immunosuppresed, newborn, frail eldery etc) at risk of their lives.

So...employees are different?

Also, there have been studies that show vaccinations do not prevent the transmission of many diseases, even if they can make the host asymptomatic or give them only a mild case of the disease.

It is commendable to want to do the right thing to protect others, but there is an awful lot of misinformation about vaccinations and what they may or may not do. But this was not meant to be a debate over the effectiveness of vaccines.

Oh, by the way, I'm allergic to thimerosol (yes, that's the ticket.)

[ErraticThinker]

So...employees are different?

Also, there have been studies that show vaccinations do not prevent the transmission of many diseases, even if they can make the host asymptomatic or give them only a mild case of the disease.

It is commendable to want to do the right thing to protect others, but there is an awful lot of misinformation about vaccinations and what they may or may not do. But this was not meant to be a debate over the effectiveness of vaccines.

Oh, by the way, I'm allergic to thimerosol (yes, that's the ticket.)

you're right. there is a lot of misinformation about vaccines. someone can read a few studies of questionable quality and get worked into a frenzy

[Jo Dirt]

you're right. there is a lot of misinformation about vaccines. someone can read a few studies of questionable quality and get worked into a frenzy

Or they can read numerous studies from "the main source" and get all bent out of shape.

You know everything the government tells you and what you see on Oprah is true.

Tuskegee, anyone?

[RNMeg]

Thimerosol hasn't been used as a preservative in vaccinations since 2001. As others have said, however, talk to your PCP about it. I also was employed at a hospital prior to nursing school (I was a sitter) and was not required to be vaccinated, but I suspect it's because I wasn't due for any boosters at that time. Now that I'm in school, I was required to have DTaP and a varicella titer and several other procedures done to prove that I'm not a danger to my patients. And it was indeed the hospital's requirement.