Vaccination Discussion: Free-for-all....

indigo girl · Oct 11, 2009

Al, you want to spoil their fun by having a rational discussion where they might have to prove what they are saying is true?

It's much easier to give an opinion about the new vaccine but not let anyone know where the information came from that the opinion is based upon. It can get downright embarassing when the only links for some of these assertions come from sites like prisonplanet, mercola and the like...

What were you thinking? These opinions are not usually founded on facts.

RuRnurse? · Oct 13, 2009

There are plenty of people who have doubts about this vaccine, and vaccines in general. To imply that they are all ignorant or misinformed, or both, is an insult. But I don't think that will change...

Some obviously feel very strongly about the issue, and I for one, respect that. I may not agree, but I respect the right to express the feelings. Those on both sides of the issue should do the same.

Laidback Al · Oct 14, 2009

There are plenty of people who have doubts about this vaccine, and vaccines in general. To imply that they are all ignorant or misinformed, or both, is an insult. But I don't think that will change...
Some obviously feel very strongly about the issue, and I for one, respect that. I may not agree, but I respect the right to express the feelings. Those on both sides of the issue should do the same.

I am sorry if you think my initial post implied that any posters to this thread are ignorant or misinformed. I did not mean to imply that.

I agree that people should be allowed to have strong feelings and act in their own perceived best interest. But if those very people also have direct or indirect effects on the lives of other individuals, then they be better be sure they have made the right moral choice. HCWs have a moral obligation not only to protect themselves and their families, but, at the same time, an obligation to protect their sick patients from an accidentally, and potentially fatal, transmitted infection whether it is MRSA, H1N1, or something else.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2009

There are plenty of people who have doubts about this vaccine, and vaccines in general. To imply that they are all ignorant or misinformed, or both, is an insult.

It's not an insult. It's the plain truth.

If there were still plenty of people who had doubts about heliocentricism, labeling them ignorant and/or misinformed would be just as apt.

indigo girl · Oct 14, 2009

Vaccination is a public health issue, and that is not just about individuals. It is about protecting all of us through herd immunity. What we do and say about this issue effects others.

We are influencing others with what we are posting about vaccines, and should be prepared to give facts, and references. Being forthright with information, and providing credible sources in suport of we are saying is going to be far more useful to all of us than posting half truths and innuendo that leave us hanging and wondering where such beliefs came from. Our opinions are going to be influencing other people whether that is our intent or not. Hopefully, providing as much factual information as possible should be what we are trying to do.

Some may well believe for example, that autism, and auto-immune diseases are caused by vaccines, and may want to express doubts about the need for vaccines. Being questioned about supporting evidence for these beliefs should not come as a surprise, however. Because we are influencing others whose health might well be adversely impacted by what we are saying, we should expect to be able to provide factual supporting evidence for what we are saying. If it is just an opinion you want to give, just say it's an opinion, and admit it for what it is. Having individual differences of opinion is to be expected.

We are mostly professional nurses posting here. Hopefully we are providing up to date, and credible information in the interest of bettering the health of all of us.

HonestRN · Oct 14, 2009

I agree with Indigo Girl. Posting credible, factual information is essential considering this is a forum open to the general public and they depend on nurses and other health care workers to be knowledgeable about health issues and concerns. Especially right now.

tewdles, RN · Oct 15, 2009

I must admit that I often post based upon my opinion and without a url reference link. The biggest difference, I think, is that I am generally not posting in an emotional and inflammatory fashion. I frequently post that we need to be cautious in our approach and discussions with lay persons about this topic precisely because so many of my peers are apparently mis-informed, angry, and emotional. I am continually surprised by the number of learned health professionals who post comments which are based in psuedoscience and fear. I am worried about the number of lay persons who are therefore being misled by the opinions of those HCWs rather than being informed using facts.

I am an advocate of choice when it comes to immunizations. I, both personally and professionally, believe that there is considerable evidence to support the practice of immunization against communicable disease. When speaking to patients and their families I give them the facts...what the CDC says, etc. If they ask my opinion related to whether or not I would get the vaccine I decline to answer. It is, afterall, their choice for them. At the end of the day if my patient decides to get the H1N1 vaccine and develops GBS, that was his choice...if he decides to forego the vaccine and is exposed to the virus and gets sick and/or develops GBS, that was also his choice. My job is simply to provide them with the info so that they may make an informed choice. If they ask me if, as an RN, I think they should get the vaccine I will refer them back to the facts and recommendations for the vaccine. We will review any risk factors they have. We will look at contraindications. We will call their MD if necessary. But it is their choice and their choice should not be biased by my personal opinions.

I get lynched periodically for "assuming" that people are not being impartial in their information delivery. I don't have to assume...I encounter people on a daily basis who are making choices regarding this vaccine based upon the opinions of others rather than upon facts.

lamazeteacher · Oct 15, 2009

There are plenty of people who have doubts about this vaccine, and vaccines in general. To imply that they are all ignorant or misinformed, or both, is an insult. But I don't think that will change...
Some obviously feel very strongly about the issue, and I for one, respect that. I may not agree, but I respect the right to express the feelings. Those on both sides of the issue should do the same.

Expressing feelings is a lot different than making up falsehoods, which is what I see "Zena Bethune" and his/her ilk doing, in a misguided attempt to get attention and spread malaise about our credible sources of information. If propagators of the drivel in the highly questionnable and vindictive content of the "links" to which Zana directed us were believed, there wouldn't be anyone alive since vaccines have been here!

It seems that the viewpoint of the poster of all this dreck, has had issues with "jabs" from way back. If only she's had EMLA patches applied to ease the pain of injections, she wouldn't have gone on the warpath over vaccines. Oh well, something else would have gotten the attention of anyone on a quest to disavow credible sources.

Laidback Al · Oct 15, 2009

. . But it is their choice and their choice should not be biased by my personal opinions.

People in positions of authority or trust need to distinguish their personal opinions from the factual information they are presenting to their patients.

. . . My job is simply to provide them with the info so that they may make an informed choice. . .

Info that is based on established unbiased scientific studies, not hearsay and innuendo.

lamazeteacher · Oct 15, 2009

People in positions of authority or trust need to distinguish their personal opinions from the factual information they are presenting to their patients.
Info that is based on established unbiased scientific studies, not hearsay and innuendo.

Al, Prepared Parenthood needs you!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 15, 2009

1. Everybody should be allowed to make their own choices about whether to receive vaccinations for themselves or their families or not as they choose.
2. Employers are running businesses. They can dictate rules about vaccination as they like. If you don't like the rules, quit the job and find another.

How can you say it is a person's choice then say that if they do not like the fact that their employers are MAKING THEM get a vaccination then they can quit...?

I am getting the vaccination because I want it, I have faith in vaccinations; for the most part. I am a little skeptical with the N1H1 being that it is still new, but I learned enough in Micro years ago that I keep up on my vaccinations, even ones that are not required. What I do not find cool is that health care agencies are requiring us to get them while the public is not and is more likely to infect our patients when visiting than we do. We have good immune systems do to all the things we are exposed to and use standard and isolation precautions. How many times have you seen a visitor go into a isolation room without even gowning up or washing their hands? I bet you more times not.