In August I posted about a survey of UK’s National Health Service nurses that showed only 37% of the 1,500 respondents planned on getting the H1N1 vaccine. The UK’s Department of Health had issued a statement letting nurses know that those who refuse the vaccine are putting their own health and patients’ health at risk. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all healthcare and emergency medical services personnel be vaccinated as well. As a result, a number of U.S. hospitals have taken action.
Three major hospitals in Oklahoma City (OU Medical Center, Edmond Medical Center, and Oklahoma Surgicare) told healthcare workers to get the seasonal flu shot by October 1st, or wear a surgical mask for their entire shift, according to KFOR.com. The compromise to wear a mask is one way hospitals are getting around potential issues with unions. It’s difficult for hospitals with union employees to require flu shots without a state mandate, which led the New York state Hospital Review and Planning Council to approve a mandate requiring that all healthcare workers receive both the seasonal and the H1N1 vaccine by November 30. New York healthcare workers have protested by the hundreds, most arguing that the FDA-approved H1N1 vaccine has not been adequately tested for safety, according to USA Today.
The American Nurses Association Web site states that “Seasonal influenza vaccine is currently available, and nurses should be planning to get both seasonal and, when available, the H1N1 vaccine. Nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, their colleagues, and the people they care for.”
Is your hospital requiring either the seasonal or the H1N1 flu vaccine? Do you think states or hospitals should require the shots? Let your opinion be heard—post a comment below.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Nope. Not getting it. I don’t get seasonal flu vaccine either. Wear a mask? Sure. How will they enforce that? Lol. That would be hilarious. Can I wear decorated ones? Please. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face……
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
I get the seasonal flu vaccine every year. Not getting the vaccine is irresponsible and selfish. If I were hospitalized and my nurse was one of the nurses who had to wear a facemask because s/he refused to get a flu shot (which is not even a shot for those between ages 2-49—it’s the FluMist), I would request another nurse. I would tell the hospital administration, “If my nurse doesn’t believe in basic health promotion/prevention efforts, how can I be sure s/he won’t make other non-evidence-based decisions?” I would have no faith in that nurse’s ability to care for me. I would leave the hospital and file complaints all the way up the chain.
As far as the H1N1 vaccine, I plan on getting that one, too. Living in an area where they actually tested the vaccine on volunteers (including children), I have assurance it is safe for most people.
I understand there are those who have waivers due to allergies and adverse reactions. In this case, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Mary, I believe that everyone is entitled to their own choices when it concerns their body and only their body. The nurses that choose not to be inoculated should not be ridiculed. What about the person that smokes around the non-smoker or the person that has HIV or Hepatitis. Should we single them out too. No, I do not believe so.
Practicing good hand hygiene and learning to cover one’s mouth is much more effective than the vaccine. It is truly each individual’s choice.
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Mary, How about the AIDS, Hepatitis C, CDIFF, TB, Pneumonia,MRSA, VRE, Pseudomonis, etc that we are exposed to every day that we walk in our pt’s room? The mask doesn’t even work after 15 minutes of use. (CDC website) Please, please don’t ever step foot in my hospital. Your ignorance is scary. The flu shot has been proven to be around 40-50 percent effective (CDC website) against the seasonal flu. The H1N1 they have no idea what it does, because it hasnt been tested long enough….better yet, maybe you should make sure you get it.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I feel it is a persons right to choose. As a nurse being forced to wear a mask, this is a form of control. Perhaps people should reconize the possible
side effects listed on the cdc web page. Working as a nurse I have witnessed
these. We don’t need people like Mary, showing up causing extra problems in the hospitals.