Would you take the flu shot?

[sasha2lady]

My DON told us last week that they are going to order some H1N1 flu shots along with the regular ones for the staff.....she wanted to get an idea of how many of us would take it......my thing is this...I have an unrelenting fear of needles. I have never had a flu shot of any kind...ever and wasnt planning on it. Then I heard that at some places its being made mandatory that all healthcare workers get the flu shots. I can handle needles all day long as long as its not me getting poked with it. So...are any of you going to get a flu shot...either regular or the the swine one or both? Unless they make it mandatory I dont think Ill get either.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Both. I have had one already. I was on the fence about the new vaccine, but yesterday a healthy 14 year old died. Beautiful girl. H1N1. Hearing her parents grief was just horrid. I do not want to take a chance of exposing others through my illness.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I am mandated to take both, the seasonal flu and H1N1 by my state (New York). The jury is out as far as I am concerned regarding the swine flu shot, simply because it is too new, but, I would rather take it than not, and I will encourage my son to as well.

[kat7ap]

I already had both - was a combo vaccine with the seasonal flu shot and H1N1. So only one injection! I absolutely hate getting IMs, mostly because of the very sore arm I get for about 2 days after wards. I've gotten the flu shot for the past 3 years, never had a bad reaction and I only got a mild short lived flu one year. I think the benefits outweigh the risks especially since we work in health care with many fragile and immunocompromised patients.

[EverNurseRN]

i'm getting both...jumpin on the vaccine bandwagon lol...my daughter too

[Sensoria17]

No. So far, my workplace is not making it mandatory. I haven't heard anything about whether or not the swine flu vaccine will be mandatory.

[Strawberrykool]

NY isn't mandated yet Next year we will be. Unless your at a hospital

[agldragonRN]

why not? what would be the reason not to?

yes i will take both vaccines. my job is offering them starting next week. as a health care provider to these vulnerable patients, it is our duty to ensure that we do no harm and not make them more ill.

in addition, we are also protecting ourselves, family, friends, etc..of course, if one is allergic or has severe side effects to the vaccine, or even against their religion, i can understand opting out. just my 2 cents.

[Lexxie, LPN]

Here in PA they're sending the H1N1 vaccine to those areas that have been hit the hardest with swine flu first. So it's my understanding that it won't be widely available to start with, but eventally available to everyone.

[PurpleLVN]

Yes I will get both the seasonal and H1N1, as well as my daughter. I wish my job would provide them but they're not. Tips for the flu shot-take pain reliever prior to shot and afterward prn, get the shot in your dominant arm (the one you use the most) and keep it moving so you won't get stiff and don't tense up during the shot! Relax!! Exhale as the nurse gives the shot!! HTH

[Medsport, LPN]

I would get one if my employer offered to give me one. But that probably won't happen as they are hiring an outside company to do the residents shots for some reason. I've only got one flu shot my whole life. I used to hardly ever get sick before I started nursing and can't remember the last time I had the actual flu. Now I seem to get at least a couple colds each season, but luckily I have'nt gotten the flu as we don't have paid sick time at my present job.

[KAYBDT6, BSN, RN]

Yes, Is mandated for every health care in my hospital to have it.