What is your opinion on getting the flu shot?

[Surg-OncRN]

Hi, I have gotten the flu shot every year for the past seven years I have been a nurse. I have decided that I have heard enough to convince me to not take it from now on. It is not mandatory at my facility but they push it very strongly. In other words, I have to think of a very good excuse for not taking it. I want to hear your thoughts and opinions on this and what I should do. Thanks!

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

These ingredients are harmless in the amounts given, and you will be exposed to them whether or not you get the vaccine. See the Vaccine Education Center's info: http://vec.chop.edu/export/download/pdfs/articles/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-ingredients.pdf

vaccine-ingredients.pdf

[dinah77, ADN]

Hi, thanks Healthy Nurse for your response. Couldn't have said it better myself. You said what I wanted to say but did not know how to say it. Here I am on the Holistic Nursing forum and just about everyone thinks I am crazy for not being excited about my organization forcing me to take the flu vaccine. You would think this question was asked on General Nursing discussion or something. Thanks to everyone for leaving your feedback. I now have some ideas for less toxic alternatives of the flu vaccine.

There is nothing inherently anti-vax or anti-science about holistic nursing. Please don't put forth that stereotype.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

i take immunity support supplements, and have access to UVB, and levy protocol with high dose C, (phentoin reaction)

[Nashvillejeanne]

I have never taken a flu shot and I prefer to allow my own immune system to work for me.

I am 58 years young, healthy. Non GMO diet, no soda, aspertame etc....

For the first time, this year I tested positive for Type A flu. I was sick for four days and yes, I was a snot head! Bad cough, fever but all in all it only lasted for four days. Really was not that bad. Came on fast and left just as fast. I will still take my chance with the flu verses a shot. It is a personal choice.

[MunoRN, RN]

I have never taken a flu shot and I prefer to allow my own immune system to work for me.

I am 58 years young, healthy. Non GMO diet, no soda, aspertame etc....

For the first time, this year I tested positive for Type A flu. I was sick for four days and yes, I was a snot head! Bad cough, fever but all in all it only lasted for four days. Really was not that bad. Came on fast and left just as fast. I will still take my chance with the flu verses a shot. It is a personal choice.

I don't think you understand the basic premise of vaccinations as a public health issue. While you may not mind the flu, immunocompromised people do, mainly because it has a high likelihood of killing them.

Unfortunately those same immunocompromised folks don't get much protection when they receive a vaccination themselves since the vaccine relies on a well-functioning immune system to work. As a result, they rely on those who may potentially spread the flu to them to get vaccinated. And while taking precautions one symptoms arise is helpful, it doesn't do much for the 2 to 3 days you were virulent prior to developing obvious symptoms (and colloidal silver does nothing at all, there is absolutely no reliable evidence that colloidal silver has any effect on viral infections).

I'm all for someone's right to determine their own health destiny, but please don't pretend that it's only your own health your playing with by refusing vaccinations, you're willingly putting the lives of others at risk.

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

I get the flu shot every year; ever since I started working in a hospital and my preceptor dragged me down to employee health to get it while on orientation. I get a tad unwell initially but then I'm usually ok.

My OB recommend I get vaccinated when I was pregnant (thimerisol free version).

Everyone in my household gets a flu shot because my son has Reactive Airway Disease and I'd like to keep him well.

2014 's flu shot covered the wrong strain as I got the flu a month after the shot. Luckily it only put me out of commission for a couple weeks.

The previous flu season our ICU was full of H1N1 & H1N3 patients on ventilators. The ones that died did not receive that year's flu shot.

It is highly recommend at my hospital to get the flu shot, but it is not required. If you opt out, you must were a mask when you are within 3 ft of patients during the flu season.

[dinah77, ADN]

Personally....no flu shot. Never have, don't think I ever will. I take precautions with standard avoidance of large crowds, hand washing etc... I use colloidal silver spray a few times a day. So far, so good...

Oh. em. gee

You are a nurse and you are promoting colliodial silver?

Also, can someone PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME how anti-vaxxers freak out about preservatives in vaccines, but are okay with ingesting particles of silver?????

[Nashvillejeanne]

Thank you for the feedback. I understand the concept of the immunocompromised public. When I get symptoms I stay HOME. I don't go to work or out in the public while sick. I live in a very small rural town (under 1500 peeps) and I am lucky to have a MD/NP practice that does home visits (just like in the olden days :)). I paid $89.00 along with a promise of bartering six weeks of organic chicken eggs...really :0 Me and my Amish neighbors are doing fine. So...I did not infect anyone, nor would I purposely do so. I remain a free choice person.

To speak to your "anti vaxers" statement...strange comment. I am non judgemental and do not resort to name calling or consider myself "anti anything". I choose not to vaccinate. I choose a natural lifestyle. I grow my own food and have dairy goats...It is a personal choice. You may do what you choose. It is an old concept ...it is called freedom.....

Now, onto using Colloidal Silver. I am not "promoting" anything. Do what works for you. I never use oral silver, it can turn you blue, forever! However, silver is toxic to many microbes and on this basis a suspension of finely ground silver granules is popular as an antiseptic (ie. silver ointment for wounds for example) and can be used as a suspension in small quantities as a nasal spray. I have not turned blue yet lol.

[dinah77, ADN]

Thank you for the feedback. I understand the concept of the immunocompromised public. When I get symptoms I stay HOME. I don't go to work or out in the public while sick. I live in a very small rural town (under 1500 peeps) and I am lucky to have a MD/NP practice that does home visits (just like in the olden days :)). I paid $89.00 along with a promise of bartering six weeks of organic chicken eggs...really :0 Me and my Amish neighbors are doing fine. So...I did not infect anyone, nor would I purposely do so. I remain a free choice person.

To speak to your "anti vaxers" statement...strange comment. I am non judgemental and do not resort to name calling or consider myself "anti anything". I choose not to vaccinate. I choose a natural lifestyle. I grow my own food and have dairy goats...It is a personal choice. You may do what you choose. It is an old concept ...it is called freedom.....

Now, onto using Colloidal Silver. I am not "promoting" anything. Do what works for you. I never use oral silver, it can turn you blue, forever! However, silver is toxic to many microbes and on this basis a suspension of finely ground silver granules is popular as an antiseptic (ie. silver ointment for wounds for example) and can be used as a suspension in small quantities as a nasal spray. I have not turned blue yet lol.

*Le Sigh*

As a nurse, you should be well aware that you are contagious before becoming symptomatic

So yes, you ARE putting the vulnerable at risk without the vaccine

Shame

Your *freedom* ends when you risk harm to others

You don't like the term anti-vax? How about anti-science then?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Oh. em. gee

You are a nurse and you are promoting colliodial silver?

Also, can someone PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME how anti-vaxxers freak out about preservatives in vaccines, but are okay with ingesting particles of silver?????

Mmmm, silver...

[Nashvillejeanne]

Your anger is better aimed in the proper direction. Email you representative to close our borders...rather than be insulting to few of us who prefer a natural lifestyle. Take care.

[dinah77, ADN]

Your anger is better aimed in the proper direction. Email you representative to close our borders...rather than be insulting to few of us who prefer a natural lifestyle. Take care.

Wow.

Xenophobic on top of everything, eh?

Awesome

Really can't believed you're a licensed nurse