Would You Accept Swine Flu Vaccine?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2009

I'd take just about any vaccine. But if I was told I had to, then there'd be a problem.

I remember when there was going to be smallpox vax at my hospital. I volunteered. After doing some reasearch, I declined.

Seems llike they are taking that part away from you, the doing the research part.

This is your body. They can mandated that you get it, but they also must provide a declination form, just like with Hep B.

They are asking for trouble by forcing this on you.

J9G2008 · Jul 30, 2009

I am not getting it, but I know that lots of people will. I am not a huge proponent of vaccines beyond the basic childhood variety (and, of course, the ones I have to get for healthcare work). I also have some issues with thimerosol being used in the vaccine.

regularRN · Jul 30, 2009

I would definitely have the vaccine. Vaccinations play a vital role in improving public health.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2009

I will get the seasonal flu shot. At this time I will not plan on the swine flu one because I am not in a high risk category and I am in research and deal with healthy subjects. I would rather wait for now as it is being rushed and iw as an ICU clerk during the whole GB thing last time.

If I was in a high risk category, worked with patients that were at risk, or mandated, I would really have a much harder decision to make.

swirlything · Jul 30, 2009

I am very happy to get the vaccine. Not only do I care for an at-risk population, but my daughter has asthma and has been hospitalized twice with flu-related complications in the past.

I agree, however, with the previous poster that I would not be happy with a mandate to get it. My body is the one thing in this world that is MINE... and nobody has the right to force me to put things in it.

rph3664 · Jul 30, 2009

I'm also old enough to remember the Guillain-Barre thing (12, yes, but I did know about it!) and I will not take it unless it's mandatory, which I just don't see happening.

I do take a regular flu shot every year because it's free for employees where I work.

Cindy-san · Jul 30, 2009

My facility had a town hall meeting and announced that this year, it will be mandatory for all direct care staff to get the flu shot, and that they expect the swine flu vaccine to be ready this year, around October, and that we would be mandated to take that as well to protect the patients we care for. I am not very comfortable being mandated to take anything...this would be a brand new vaccine. Why should I be the guinea pig? Thoughts?

Mandated to get a vaccine? Isn't that against our rights?

DeepFriedRN · Jul 30, 2009

We have been mandated for the past two years at my hospital for the seasonal flu, unless you have a documented allergy. Probably since I have asthma and therefore would get it anyway, I'm OK with that. Just means I get it for free..

I would take the swine flu vaccine as well. If I wasn't personally high risk, or at least working with high risk pts, I might feel differently. It's easy to be OK with a mandate when it's something you'd do anyway.

Sterren, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2009

No. I'm not interested in being a guinea pig.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Jul 30, 2009

I will get the vaccine if it is offered but if I was mandated, I would probably refuse (even if I went and got it elsewhere) I DO NOT like to be told what to do.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 30, 2009

I'd take it in a heartbeat, although I'd probably be tempted to do like the above poster and sneak off somewhere to get it if I was 'mandated'. I am a grown woman and I do not need to be told what must or must not go into my body.

I'm a zealot about getting the flu shot every year.....being over 50 and an asthmatic, plus working with the frail elderly, I want to make sure I'm protecting not only myself but my residents by being vaccinated against influenza. And again, nobody has to tell me to do it.

Would You Accept Swine Flu Vaccine?

Would You Take the Swine Flu Vaccine?