I'm from this area. There is a huge Amish and Mennonite population. I believe most of the local women refusing the flu shot appealed due to religious reasons and were denied.
I absolutely think it should be mandatory. I don't have a problem with medical exemptions (such as the pp who mentioned Lupus) though I think they should wear a mask. But I'm tired of seeing the interview on my local news where the woman says, "God Gave us a body. He gave us, He Made our body uniquely that we can--if we live a healthful life---that our chances of being able to fight it off with our own immune system is very likely." What about your patient's compromised immune system???
Post by mccallister84 on Jan 4, 2013 19:59:11 GMT -5
I'm amazed that all hospitals don't seem to at least offer it to their staff. We get vaccinated at work, for free, and I'm a middle school teacher. However, the vaccine isn't mandatory.
I do think it should be mandatory for health care workers and should be made clear at time of employment.
No sympathy. I don't care why people don't want or can't get a shot. They don't get to put others at risk.
"Can't get" is a little strong. There are people who legitimately can't get flu shots, and they should still be able to be nurses. But it's a small minority.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Jan 4, 2013 21:02:02 GMT -5
I find it suspicious that she filed medical *and* religious exemptions but her main argument is "no one can tell me what to do with my body." I work at a children's hospital, and we have mandatory vaccinations for many things, in addition to yearly TB tests. Flu shots were optional in the past, but now they are mandatory.
Post by MadamePresident on Jan 4, 2013 21:37:59 GMT -5
So to play devil's advocate. What if the strain of flu going around isn't the same one in the shots this year? I understand that the shots help protect against the flu, but what if a mask is more effective since it could protect the patient from all strains? I didn't read the article, but are there other options that would still keep the patients safer?
Immuno-compromised I think it's right to be mandatory. Even with an egg allergy my DD gets the shot, she just had to have it done in the Allergy Doc office & it was monitored for reaction carefully.
Dude, I work for the government in a very non hospital setting and am required to have these vaccines plus some. I have no sympathy for nurses that are treating those fighting these same battles due to lack of vaccination or otherwise really. Then don't work in the health industry problem solved.
So to play devil's advocate. What if the strain of flu going around isn't the same one in the shots this year? I understand that the shots help protect against the flu, but what if a mask is more effective since it could protect the patient from all strains? I didn't read the article, but are there other options that would still keep the patients safer?
Masks are not as effective, and I imagine end up being more expensive. If the flu vaccine failed, most hospitals have emergency preparedness plans to deal with that contingency that involve masks.
I don't see how it's such a big deal. TB tests have been mandated for healthcare workers for years as a condition of employment. I think it's just backlash to a change in policy since H1N1. My former boss published on pandemic preparedness. It's scary stuff.
Post by flippinlucky86 on Jan 4, 2013 22:12:25 GMT -5
I think we will only see more hospitals go to mandatory vaccination, because starting this year I believe, hospitals have report their employee influenza vaccination rate to CMS, which probably means that reimbursement rates will be tied to it at some point in the future. I have no sympathy for nurses who chose not to get vaccinated. You are doing a disservice to your patients and it should be treated as other screens/vaccines that HCWs have to undergo.
Someone mentioned lupus as a reason for not getting the vaccine- that is absolutely false. People with lupus and other autoimmune disorders should make it a priority to be vaccinated. My eyes are kind of bugging out of my head that a doctor would even suggest such a thing.
So to play devil's advocate. What if the strain of flu going around isn't the same one in the shots this year? I understand that the shots help protect against the flu, but what if a mask is more effective since it could protect the patient from all strains? I didn't read the article, but are there other options that would still keep the patients safer?
I don't have much sympathy but I am generally very very pro-vax. My hospital started requiring it this year but a medical exemption was allowed. Not sure about religious, I don't remember anything on the form about being able to appeal for that reason. It protects our patients which should be our #1 priority.
I don't trust people not to come into work if they have the flu. We are penalized for calling in sick and only get so many "occurances" a year (6-8 I believe) before our jobs are on the line. It is so easy to spread germs in a hospital. Elevator buttons, door knobs, keyboards, etc. Wearing a mask isn't going to stop the spread of germs anyway.
Post by yellowbrkrd on Jan 5, 2013 10:27:12 GMT -5
I work for a very large health care provider and everyone is required to get the flu shot and tested for TB. They will allow you to opt out if you are allergic to a component of the shot. This includes everyone, not just those that work in the hospital. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
You make the choice to vaccinate and reap the consequences (keep job, stay healthy) You make the choice to not vaccinate and reap those consequences (lose job, possibly get the flu and spread it to others) Don't like it - your problem, not theirs.
Post by phoenixrising on Jan 5, 2013 12:38:46 GMT -5
I am a NICU nurse, and I think I would be irresponsible if I were not to get a flu shot. My employer does not mandate it, but we must provide our reason for refusal if we do refuse.
My hospital mandated this year and while I always get my flu vac every year regardless, It leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I get that they're trying to protect patients but in the same breadth they allow open visiting hours and no visitor restrictions. These patients get rooms full of family and friends and the hospital doesn't care if they have been vaccinated or not and I guarantee most of those visitors spend more time with and get closer to that immunocrompromised patient than I do. The least they could do is recommend that those who are not vaccinated either don't visit or do so with a mask. Patient safety is always first unless its up against customer service/satisfaction.
The Colorado state health department has made it a requirement this year that all health care professionals receive (and provide documentation of) a flu shot.
The Colorado state health department has made it a requirement this year that all health care professionals receive (and provide documentation of) a flu shot.
This is true, but as far as I understand, you can claim (but have to prove) a medical exemption, but then you have to wear a mask from October through May. Or at least that is the way my hospital is doing it in Denver.
I am an RN. Add me to the list of people who think it should be mandatory at all hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, etc. There is not only no reason that we should put our patients at risk, but there is also no reason I would put my DH and kids at risk if I brought that crap home (which would inevitably happen). All of us get our flu vax every year.
Immuno-compromised I think it's right to be mandatory. Even with an egg allergy my DD gets the shot, she just had to have it done in the Allergy Doc office & it was monitored for reaction carefully.
My husband is not required to get it and works in a hospital. I'm surprised it isn't required. When I mentioned this story and the bolded part above he said that in a hospital setting everyone is assumed to be immuno compromised. He hasn't mentioned anything about masks either.
Voluntary flu shot rates of nursing staff in Canada range from below 50% in BC to 50-60% in Ontario. People given the choice make the wrong one, so they're getting that choice taken away. I'd be interested to know why supposedly educated people are opting not to get a flu shot, but I'm more interested in vulnerable people not getting the flu from their nurse.
Token, I had a nurse come in for a flu shot on the weekend, and she was terrified of side effects. She was also worried that the mild illness symptoms she may get from the shot would mean time off work and she couldnt afford that. It is strange that she didnt consider the time off for the flu...but this is one person's thought process.
I am definitely team vaccination. But when people here are saying the hospital would be liable if their staff gave a patient the flu, are they liable if their nurse gives the patient bronchitis? Or ringworm?
I was on the board at a child care center that mandated Flu Vax for all staff during H1N1. We had 2 infant rooms that had chidren too young to be vaxed (under months). A few staff who refused due to 'egg allergies' relented and got the shots when compelled to get a doctor's note confirming the allergy.
While I can see a child care worker may misunderstand the myths around vaccines and recommendations of the medical community, I do not understand a medically trained, medical provider in a medical setting not trusting the recommendations of the medical community.