Required H1N1 vax

[BC-Lulu_4]

Should medical professionals be required to get the H1N1 vaccine?

I know a nurse who works in the nicu who has been told she must get the flu shot and the H1N1 vax to protect the infants. She doesnt want to get the vaccines though. I'm kinda torn on this issue.

I hate the idea of people being forced to get the vax, but as health care professionals, they know the risk of spreading viruses, especially if they work with very ill people.

[LandJ]

Not sure how they're getting away with it, but I know there's a facility in NY (?) that's requiring it. I, too, am torn on it. I can certainly see both sides of the issue. If I were full time in a hospital I'd be pretty pi$$ed if required to get one and probably fight it tooth and nail. I've never had the flu in the first place, have always had a very good immune system and have rarely succumbed to "stuff" floating around the work place.

There is a long term care hospital (not nursing home) up here, the only in NE FL, where the absolute sickest of the sick are. There's is waaaaay more of a risk of the patient's transferring crap to the staff than the other way around. I used to HATE going to work there (and only consulted there). The staff is uberdigiligent in their standard precautions for the safety of both themselves and the patients. I really dont' see where, if all facilities were that cautious, the vaccine would be necessary. Of course, I know not ALL are that cautious.

I'd like to see a study done on those facilities that required it vs. those that didn't.

[Lori]

I don't believe in requiring anyone to get a vaccine....no matter what the argument is. I am VERY firm on this. ;-)

[CrystalAZ]

No. The NICU is very strict on hygiene and protecting the infants anyway, so there is no reason to force a nurse to get a vaccine she doesn't want.

Crystal

[robine]

The hospitals here are requiring the workers in high risk areas ( to them selves and the patients) wear a N-95 particulate mask if they refuse or can not get the shot due to allergies or religious/philosophical issues

[BC-Tracik]

our children's hospital, who tends to have more high risk patients, requires ALL staff to get the seasonal vaccine as a condition of employment (it is in their contract) so if they don't want it they can go work else where. It is the choice they made the day they signed their contract. Since many flu's are contagious prior to being symptomatic it makes sense. A nurse could easily infect many patients in a shift before knowing she was sick... especially ones who say "I never get sick" because they are probably less likely to realize or want to admit they are sick.

From the talk at the hospital the H1N1 is required for the organ transplant wing, oncology wing and PICU but is optional for others. Those who visit those wards who choose not to get the shot, like child life, have to wear particulate masks when on the floor.

I think if you choose to work in a hospital setting then you should expect to be vaccinated. If you don't want to then go work in a clinic or private practice ... it should always come down to patient safety, especially when sick kids are involved.

[Briar]

Originally Posted by BC-Tracik

our children's hospital, who tends to have more high risk patients, requires ALL staff to get the seasonal vaccine as a condition of employment (it is in their contract) so if they don't want it they can go work else where. It is the choice they made the day they signed their contract. Since many flu's are contagious prior to being symptomatic it makes sense. A nurse could easily infect many patients in a shift before knowing she was sick... especially ones who say "I never get sick" because they are probably less likely to realize or want to admit they are sick.

From the talk at the hospital the H1N1 is required for the organ transplant wing, oncology wing and PICU but is optional for others. Those who visit those wards who choose not to get the shot, like child life, have to wear particulate masks when on the floor.

I think if you choose to work in a hospital setting then you should expect to be vaccinated. If you don't want to then go work in a clinic or private practice ... it should always come down to patient safety, especially when sick kids are involved.

I agree 100%

[rae]

I have a question for all the medical professionals here.

Why are so many medical people not wanting to get the h1n1 vaccine? I don't see any stories about the medical community not getting the seasonal flu vaccine. Why not this one, too?

[LandJ]

Probably because the media makes a big deal out of the H1N1 vaccine and who's not getting it. Medical professionals not getting the seasonal flu vaccine wouldn't make for sensational stories. But the SWINE flu? That just sounds sensational all on it's own. Medical professionals not getting the vaccine is just another angle in which to entice viewers. And really....how do we really know how many are and how many aren't getting either vaccine?

Personally, at this point I've never had the flu. From the very beginning of my career I worked up close and personal with patients....hardly got a cold. Even in nursing homes where the ventilation system isn't as sophisticated as the hospitals I'd worked in I still rarely got sick. The Norwalk virus, or whatever it was, went around one SNF I worked in so so bad that at one point we only had a third of our staff available to work (although I suspect some just took advantage and were perfectly healthy). Not even a sniffle from me and I was right in the thick of it since most of our CNAs were out. I just don't see the point in getting the vaccine when I may have a natural immunity. And as for the post above saying I'm a prime one for passing along the virus if I were to get b/c I'd possibly not realize I was sick......hogwash. I certainly know the symptoms whether it's me that has them or someone else. Never had an heart attack either, but I certainly know the symptoms.

I do not have my ds vaccinated for either flu. I can't tell you the reason why although I sure wish I could! My dh (an RN) was very pro vaccine and ds is up to date on all others. But for some reason he was anti-flu vaccine. It had nothing to do with thimeresol, autism, etc.

[Julester]

Originally Posted by BC-Tracik

our children's hospital, who tends to have more high risk patients, requires ALL staff to get the seasonal vaccine as a condition of employment (it is in their contract) so if they don't want it they can go work else where. It is the choice they made the day they signed their contract. Since many flu's are contagious prior to being symptomatic it makes sense. A nurse could easily infect many patients in a shift before knowing she was sick... especially ones who say "I never get sick" because they are probably less likely to realize or want to admit they are sick.

From the talk at the hospital the H1N1 is required for the organ transplant wing, oncology wing and PICU but is optional for others. Those who visit those wards who choose not to get the shot, like child life, have to wear particulate masks when on the floor.

I think if you choose to work in a hospital setting then you should expect to be vaccinated. If you don't want to then go work in a clinic or private practice ... it should always come down to patient safety, especially when sick kids are involved.

ITA with this. Also IMHO of course if there are health professionals who don't wish to be vaccinated then they need to step aside from their duties with regards to children. It would pose a risk to the weak immune patients. I believe there are health professionals who are looking for work who don't have a problem with the vaccine and are more than willing to do it. Besides, what hypocrits it would be to put the fear of God in people in telling them to get vaccinated yet they don't practice what they preach. No need to give them an out IMO. If it sounds harsh, oh well. It is scary hearing all the children's deaths that have occurred to date.