Would you take the flu shot?

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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.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
NY isn't mandated yet Next year we will be. Unless your at a hospital

New York is mandated to take both. If not done by 11/30/09, disciplinary action will take place starting (at my job, anyhow),with two week suspension without pay and this can lead to termination due to non-compliance to policy.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
New York is mandated to take both. If not done by 11/30/09, disciplinary action will take place starting (at my job, anyhow),with two week suspension without pay and this can lead to termination due to non-compliance to policy.

Just curious but what if you've had a past allergic reaction?

I've had the regular shot and will get the H1N1 as soon as it's availabe here. I've got a wife with half a dozen chronic conditions so I can't take any chances.

FYI, the two worst cases of the flu I've ever had occured a couple of months after being vaccinated so the vaccine is NOT a guarantee you won't get sick.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
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Just curious but what if you've had a past allergic reaction?

I've had the regular shot and will get the H1N1 as soon as it's availabe here. I've got a wife with half a dozen chronic conditions so I can't take any chances.

FYI, the two worst cases of the flu I've ever had occured a couple of months after being vaccinated so the vaccine is NOT a guarantee you won't get sick.

My facility provided a document that the employee has to take to their physician that states that they have had previous adverse reactions to the flu vaccine or components of it. I am understanding that they are really looking for anaphylactic reaction, not just GI or even rash, it seems. It has to be signed, stamped and the license # of the physician must be reported. Once returned to Human Resources, the person is supposed to be exempt.

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I think that all health care workers should be mandated to get the shot for the flu and H1N1. I just came down with the flu 2 wks ago and it affected so many students on our campus that they had to set up a registry for sick students that missed classes so that their prof's would grant leniency.

When you are contagious and not exhibiting hardcore symptoms, someones life could be put at risk; fear of needles or not, it's a matter of protecting yourself and your patients.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

I don't know anyone who enjoys the flu shot, but usually the soreness is no more than being sore from a work out. If there's excessive discomfort or local reaction - treat it. A deep fear of needles can be a real problem. I've seen this while teaching diabetics and I can assure you, it has nothing to do with being a baby or a sissy. Can you enlist the help of several others (folks that are serious about helping and don't belittle the issue) who can provide reassurance and distraction. Don't let this fear rob you and your family of protection.

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New York is mandated to take both. If not done by 11/30/09, disciplinary action will take place starting (at my job, anyhow),with two week suspension without pay and this can lead to termination due to non-compliance to policy.

That's crazy! You should'nt be forced to get it if you chose not to. I would most likely get the flu shot if my company offered it, but it does'nt look like they are as they went with an outside company and are too cheap. I'm leary about the H1N1 though as its made from a live virus and is'nt proven to be safe yet. A friend of mine (who is a respiratory therapist) was offered one at her job and she is refusing them. She's heard of too many people getting sick (including her mother who apparently had an allergic reaction to something) and people have even died from the flu shot. I know its rare, but does happen and theirs no guarantee you will get the flu if not vaccinated.

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