Why don't nurses get flu shots?

[lochcrow]

i believe it is a personal choice. i have worked in a flu clinic and given over 80 flu shots in 8 hours, and prided myself on patients saying they could not feel the shot! i was good at it.
anyway, i have never gotten a flu shot myself, i don't beleive in them. i believe that the body has the abilty to heal itself...but i respect the rights of others who feel that they need them.
personally i am more concerned with general cleanliness, handwashing and being sanitary than i am about flu shots. some people are just not clean and to me, that is responsible for a lot of disease today.

Thank u, Thank u, Thank u,
I share your view. I have worked many a flu clinic and believe in providing the opportunity to help others who strongly believe they need it. I have only been a nurse for 15yrs but very early in my carreer was coaxed by more seasoned nurses to get my flu shot because 1. I needed it! 2. the hospital provided it to us free of charge. 3. because I didn't want to get sick and miss any time from work. Being young and easily influenced by my well meaning peers (so I thought) I got one. Much to my dismay I came down with the worst case of the flu and was out sick for an entire week... Literally so ill, I remember praying to GOD to "Take me now!" Needless to say prior to listening to my fellow coworkers I had never suffered from a case of the flu. Henceforth,,,, lesson learned for me.... I NEVER EVER WANT TO EXPERIENCE THAT AGAIN!!! I don't want to hear that if I got sick I probably was already gonna get the flu... NO WAY... I was fine until I let them give me a flu shot. Whatever was in that vaccine my antibodies did not like them when they met up at the party hosted by my body so they literally started to KICK MY A_S!!!

[vskeen]

I also have a hyperimmune disorder. I had two anaphylactic reactions to vaccines - one to MMR and one to Hep B. After the Hep B vaccine (I only took the first one), I've not taken any vaccine injections since. Due to my hyperimmune disorder, I have high titers to every vaccine I've ever received, including the one shot for Hep B.

The facility where I work, like most health care facilities, require all nurses to be vaccinated against the flu or where a mask while on the unit for six months. The mask was making me nuts, therefore I subjected myself to several hours of testing on two different occasions, and finally was able to take flu-mist against my doctor's advice (due to age and total WBC count).

I'm wondering what all the other nurses who cannot receive a flu shot are doing? This has been really frustrating for me - the hours of testing, the positive skin reactions, and the costs.

Are other nurses having the same problems?

[vskeen]

Sorry - I inadvertently posted the same message twice.

[Lizziern]

We all need a day off every now and then

[Lizziern]

Well the first year I worked as an aide in a nursing home I got the flu shot and the hepatitis series. I was deathly ill the following New Year's Eve with a 102 temp and felt like I was dying. So much for protection. Turns out I was working 60 hours per week, not sleeping, eating like crap and not exercising. Humm, maybe that's why I got the flu? Since a cousin of mine came down with Guillian Barre after receiving a flu shot I have chosen to never again be vaccinated. It has been 21 years flu free without a vaccine while working in hospitals and busy ER's where those with flu (most vaccinated) seek treatment.

[Lizziern]

I'd quit, sign a release form or wear the mask.

[medicaltransportflorida]

Nice topic. Had the flu one year if I got my flu attempt too backward and was already exposed. Sick as a dog for a week! Never again-I am now one of the aboriginal in band for my melancholia shot.

[natsuto]

If I can sue her, I will. I was forced to take the daily MEDS and chronic diseases, because of her lack of good judgment to stay the H * LL home, she was sick.

[FamiliesProsper]

There is a LOT written about these vaccines. Google them. It is an economic issue for pharmaceutical companies. They were granted immunity from prosecuition for adverse effects, stating that they did not have adequate time to test the safety!!! Furthermore, there was such a surplus that they began advertising on radios etc!!! The vaccines have formaldehyde, some mercury, and they only cover OLD strain(s)!!! One is best to strengthen their immune system from the inside out and lessen the load from the outside in!!! Wahu.karen@yahoo.com or FamiliesProsper@yahoo.com

[subbml]

My previous employer rules that either all employess take the flu vaccine or wear a mask during the entire flu season.

[Tamela_LSU]

I get mine every year. If there's a chance it'll prevent me from getting sick, that's good enough for me.

[Tuesday17]

Me too! Cheers!

[chicagonurse89]

personal preferences, religious reason and etc and etc...but I'm not one of them coz I always get flu shots! better be safe and keep others safe as well=)

[michfr]

With flu shots everyone is entitled to their opinion since it is usually not a life-threatening disease, but I feel that with the serious vaccines, people who don't vaccinate are selfishly relying on others to vaccinate.

[pronurse45]

It's not life threatening, and in normal cases I think it's fine but considering the number of people getting this disease now, and also to consider that a lot of people already died, especially children, the general safety should already outweigh individual preference.