Will you take the Pfizer Covid Vaccine?

Updated:   Published

school-nurses-covid-vaccine-yes-or-no.jpg.dd98395ba2dff8ce8b4dc69ff5d1fa25.jpg

We just finished a nurse group Zoom Mtg. We were asked how we felt about taking the covid vaccine per the school Supt. Wow, didn't expect that on a Monday. The school nurse? Wow, it's like your life flashes before your eyes for the present and for the future. You think about your family, this job, and your potential risks. Risks, I barely know the covid-19 contact risks. Vaccine. What's in it? There was the trial of 40k and I think 6 people died. I heard 2 had gotten Bell's Palsy or something. I don't know enough about it. Most of us said we'll wait. I heard the White House suddenly decided that they would wait as well. Now, look-a-hear, why would they wait? They don't usually step back to let others eat first. I'm just trying to lay all the cards out on the table. Also, there was mention of us administering the vaccine to students. Students? I feel the parent should be present for such a controversial rushed vaccine don't you? What are your thoughts? Will you take it? Will it be the lesser evil? Undecided for now. 

Specializes in school nurse.
On 12/22/2020 at 9:27 PM, akulahawkRN said:

 

A couple work friends did turn into Gremlins, but... otherwise they're OK. ?

Didn't you know? NEVER give them saltines after midnight...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
26 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

Didn't you know? NEVER give them saltines after midnight...

And no matter how bad they stink, no baths either!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I'm kind of hoping to sprout ears and tail

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Got my shot yesterday!!  Only side effect so far is a very sore arm.   

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

I got my Moderna Tues afternoon. Slightly sore arm, no worse then tetorifice. National  Guard ran a clinic at a nearby college. Slick! Registered with the state on Monday and scheduled for Tues. And I have my follow up in a month. 

#covidbegone

Happy New year all, I hope it brings all health and happiness!!!

Cheers to 2021!!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Got my Hanukkah wish - I was Tier 1 for Moderna (not the Pfizer product) and got the first vaccine January 31. Stick it to 2020, Moderna vaccine.

I am now worried about all the teachers who may be in Tier 2 along with all the over 65 and those with health conditions who are literally lining up here in North Texas. And worried for folks in our rural counties in Texas because there appears to be no cohesive plan for administration and you are really at the mercy of the luck of the draw here.

The majority of our school nurses who've had the vaccine report limited side effects. I had the expected soreness at the site for 24 hours and then nothing else (knock on wood)!!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.

I am an LVN in California. I really would like to get the vaccine, but nobody can tell me where to get it. I have spoken  to the BVNPT and the dept of health. The only answer I got was speak to your employer. When I stated that my employer is a school district, the board told me, well we just aren't handling it, and the dept of health told me they are not providing vaccines and I need to talk to my employer. I am very frustrated. It seems nobody in the state planned for healthcare workers that don't work in a medical facility. If any other CA school nurses have received the vaccine. I would love some advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
19 hours ago, Glitternurse said:

I am an LVN in California. I really would like to get the vaccine, but nobody can tell me where to get it. I have spoken  to the BVNPT and the dept of health. The only answer I got was speak to your employer. When I stated that my employer is a school district, the board told me, well we just aren't handling it, and the dept of health told me they are not providing vaccines and I need to talk to my employer. I am very frustrated. It seems nobody in the state planned for healthcare workers that don't work in a medical facility. If any other CA school nurses have received the vaccine. I would love some advice.

You preached a word, Glitter. Also nobody thought through the fact that our LPCs, OTs, PTs, and speech paths all see kiddos. And there's no way for a speech path to assess a kid if the kid is wearing their mask....

At any rate, what I have been advising the people who fell through the cracks such as yourself is to call your provider to see if they have the vaccine, then get on any waiting list that you can. What does the district say? Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
20 hours ago, Glitternurse said:

I am an LVN in California. I really would like to get the vaccine, but nobody can tell me where to get it. I have spoken  to the BVNPT and the dept of health. The only answer I got was speak to your employer. When I stated that my employer is a school district, the board told me, well we just aren't handling it, and the dept of health told me they are not providing vaccines and I need to talk to my employer. I am very frustrated. It seems nobody in the state planned for healthcare workers that don't work in a medical facility. If any other CA school nurses have received the vaccine. I would love some advice.

I'm not in California, but my city totally forgot about our school nurses.  I'm connected with a lot of our nearby school nurses via an email chain.  One nurse found out that a local pharmacy was giving vaccines for EMS/fire/police and phoned them.  They said they'd give to anyone with a nursing license.  We all showed up the next day and got the pfizer vaccine.  It takes some investigation sometimes! Sad, but true.  Be the squeaky wheel until you get an answer!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
39 minutes ago, BrisketRN said:

I'm not in California, but my city totally forgot about our school nurses.  I'm connected with a lot of our nearby school nurses via an email chain.  One nurse found out that a local pharmacy was giving vaccines for EMS/fire/police and phoned them.  They said they'd give to anyone with a nursing license.  We all showed up the next day and got the pfizer vaccine.  It takes some investigation sometimes! Sad, but true.  Be the squeaky wheel until you get an answer!

Way to go, Brisket! I feel like we need an Old Dude pat on the back for you.

We shouldn't HAVE to do this but we do have to find the workarounds so there you go. Hang in there.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

So here in MA, supposedly school nurses that are either helping to vaccinate or testing for COVID at school just got bumped up as COVID facing vaccine wise in phase 1.  How/where/when we can get vaccinated has not been shared yet though. Crossing my fingers to get more details soon - I'm wondering if they will let us go to a first responder site (those launch here on 1/11).

I do regular COVID testing weekly at my school and will be shifting to pooled testing soon (more cheaper as we add more students back; I'd still do individual PCR testing for staff). While I hire out EMS to swab initially while I work the sites as the check in staff (and hand "holder" for any staff/student with hesitations about testing), with pooled, if a pool if positive, I have to call in the pool (10 people) and re-swab them to do a follow-up PCR test. I won't hire out to do that and will swab anyone myself likely in one of our outdoor spaces so I should qualify. And I'm so ready.

(I told my big boss this and she asked I could have someone film it to share with our staff and families - we have a diverse population that have shared some hesitation about the vaccine. I'm all in there as well.)

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.
On 1/5/2021 at 6:55 AM, ruby_jane said:

You preached a word, Glitter. Also nobody thought through the fact that our LPCs, OTs, PTs, and speech paths all see kiddos. And there's no way for a speech path to assess a kid if the kid is wearing their mask....

At any rate, what I have been advising the people who fell through the cracks such as yourself is to call your provider to see if they have the vaccine, then get on any waiting list that you can. What does the district say? Best of luck!

Thanks Ruby I did contact my provider, but haven't heard back yet. I agree that there are many within the school that are at risk. My district is small and we are on our own to be vaccinated. They are requiring we be tested once a month to work, but are not assisting with that either. I will continue to make calls and send emails, hopefully I can get the vaccine sooner rather than later.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion