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AdHocSolver

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50. Several years ago, I worked in a hospital in which employees were told to take flu shots.

Fri Jan 4, 2013, 02:39 AM

Jan 2013

It was a new vaccine and we were told to sign a waiver that we wouldn't sue the drug company if we got sick after taking the vaccine.

Having already worked there for a few years, and understanding how things worked in medicine from an insider's perspective, I refused to sign the waiver. Another employee in my department also refused to sign.

We were told that, without signing the waiver, we wouldn't receive the vaccine, and there could be dire consequences for us.

Just about everyone else in the hospital got the vaccine. The result was that a large number of employees became ill.

The two of us that refused the vaccine never developed so much as a sniffle.

Having worked in this hospital as well as other medical-related businesses, I can tell you that there are a lot of worse things to worry about in medical practice than whether or not this nurse took a flu shot.

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Eight Hospital Employees Fired For Refusing Flu Vaccines [View all] alp227 Jan 2013 OP

I have no sympathy for them Major Nikon Jan 2013 #1

Am not a nurse and for years I didn't take the flu shot. But when I hit 62 I started taking southernyankeebelle Jan 2013 #4

Actually the CDC now recommends it for everyone, unless the person is allergic to the vaccine still_one Jan 2013 #103

I think if you are in a medical field you should get it. Especially if they work in hospitals. southernyankeebelle Jan 2013 #104

They have a new vax for those allergic to eggs obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #110

Then no one should be allowed in the hospital without proof of having received a flu shot snappyturtle Jan 2013 #5

When I was working which was a long time ago Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #14

I am in hospitals regularly to see parishoners.. noel711 Jan 2013 #144

Actually some hospitals are banning children to try and keep it under control cstanleytech Jan 2013 #17

That's Norovirus - winter vomiting virus intaglio Jan 2013 #51

My apologies that was the wrong link cstanleytech Jan 2013 #52

That would be an excellent point for any of the 8 nurses' attorneys to explore. pacalo Jan 2013 #20

It's actually not that good a point. Nurses are hovering over patients 24/7. Visitors and doctors... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #105

Exactly. HuckleB Jan 2013 #116

I was looking at it from the nurses' point of view. pacalo Jan 2013 #122

Did you get a three-day flu or did you get a virus that laid you out flat for months... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #140

The heavy congestion & achiness lasted two weeks. pacalo Jan 2013 #146

Fine by me, but you should read up on the influenza virus of 1918. It's why we have... Moonwalk Jan 2013 #187

I will read it. pacalo Jan 2013 #196

Thats incorrect. FlowerGurl Jan 2013 #154

It should include any employees who have access to patient rooms Major Nikon Jan 2013 #37

Absolutely...dietary aides, housekeeping, etc. nt snappyturtle Jan 2013 #46

It did include the entire 26,000? people who worked at that complex. Sunlei Jan 2013 #77

wrong- from the article "Of the hospital's 26,000 employees statewide, 95 percent complied... Beaverhausen Jan 2013 #121

I bet the 1,300 finally complied rather than be fired. Sunlei Jan 2013 #195

It does obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #81

not even close. Do visitors deal with patients everyday? This is not only to protect the hospital still_one Jan 2013 #106

Idiotic tabasco Jan 2013 #212

I agree as a retired nurse Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #13

As a nurse, I agree with you. Butterbean Jan 2013 #202

Unvaccinated workers wear protective gear including masks Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #32

The hospital has very little control or responsibility for family members Major Nikon Jan 2013 #65

I'm just reporting what my nurse friends have told me. Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #123

What would be wrong with the hospital giving the nurses a suspension? FarPoint Jan 2013 #62

It's true that viruses and bacteria are little, wee things, but as Shakespeare said... Hekate Jan 2013 #95

You make no sense at all. FarPoint Jan 2013 #125

Quote: "What is wrong with folks who want to sack people for the little things?" Hekate Jan 2013 #128

Nurses are more in danger from the patients than the other way around. eilen Jan 2013 #132

Fantastic points. FarPoint Jan 2013 #149

I could not agree more!! SkyDaddy7 Jan 2013 #64

+1 question everything Jan 2013 #87

I'm a retired 840high Jan 2013 #101

Why do you hate people having autonomy over their bodies? SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #141

Why do you hate old people and babies that get the flu while in the hospital? Major Nikon Jan 2013 #148

Disease is spread mostly by touch, not whether one is sick or not. And even then SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #170

I'd rather have both Major Nikon Jan 2013 #181

At what point are you willing to make a person sacrifice their bodily autonomy for SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #184

The point at which it places other lives at danger isn't a bad place to start Major Nikon Jan 2013 #188

Well, that is nonsenical. I place lives in danger every time I get in my SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #189

And you are highly regulated in that activity Major Nikon Jan 2013 #191

No, it is more sore than "makes me angry when I try to work out" - it is sore enough SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #193

What you are describing sounds much more like a side effect reaction Major Nikon Jan 2013 #194

I wonder if the nasal vaccine would be better for you. People coming to work sick makes me uppityperson Jan 2013 #150

I haven't been sick in years :) SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #167

Newsflash... FlowerGurl Jan 2013 #157

That goes hand in hand (pardon the pun) with possible flu exposure Major Nikon Jan 2013 #162

Hand washing Compliance FlowerGurl Jan 2013 #175

I'm not disputing this Major Nikon Jan 2013 #180

Newsflash #2 tabasco Jan 2013 #213

The noose is rapidly closing in on the collective neck of health freedom in America, lunasun Jan 2013 #2

Mary Mallon had the same employment problems. nt msanthrope Jan 2013 #3

I see what you did there. alphafemale Jan 2013 #11

Subtle...eh? nt msanthrope Jan 2013 #22

If Mary had washed her hands (or better, washed her hands and wore gloves) SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #143

"Her body, her choice" as some people say Confusious Jan 2013 #156

The person who makes your sandwich should have the freedom to not wash their hands. alphafemale Jan 2013 #15

The phlegm costs extra, like pesto mayonnaise. Scootaloo Jan 2013 #56

Well don't join the military Peregrine Jan 2013 #47

I feel for the Nurses...but Macoy51 Jan 2013 #109

Nobody is hampering their freedom to decide Scootaloo Jan 2013 #55

Yes, what will be next? Puzzledtraveller Jan 2013 #68

Some people say ... GeorgeGist Jan 2013 #117

Freedom... Nitram Jan 2013 #69

So they stay home, as they would if they had a cold or any other communicable illness. Puzzledtraveller Jan 2013 #72

most virus including the flu are contagious before symptoms. Sunlei Jan 2013 #79

And getting a shot is no 2naSalit Jan 2013 #129

You Are Raining RobinA Jan 2013 #142

Well darn it all to kingdom come! 2naSalit Jan 2013 #199

The flu shot is not a guarantee that you're not going to get the flu lunasun Jan 2013 #88

So...this flu shot is a guarantee? FarPoint Jan 2013 #126

No one is forcing her to work there. She is free to borrow $20k from her parents and kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #134

How stupid. proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #6

Daughter says they must take vaccine or wear masks. efhmc Jan 2013 #7

Yes, those who say no to the vaccine must wear protective clothing. Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #34

Medical professionals should know that they cannot get the flu from a flu shot Danmel Jan 2013 #8

I wish the obviously sick grocery packer who packed my groceries this evening snappyturtle Jan 2013 #10

I'm sure the sick grocery packer would have liked to have stayed home too.. AmyDeLune Jan 2013 #26

It can be devastating to me too if I miss 3 days of work due to contact with her. Where snappyturtle Jan 2013 #43

Where does it end?.. awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #54

This is all speculation and assumption. FarPoint Jan 2013 #70

And the assumption that if you get a flu shot you will not get the flu!!!! lunasun Jan 2013 #89

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #119

Wear a mask. (?) snappyturtle Jan 2013 #124

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #130

That is ridiculous eilen Jan 2013 #133

Management may not allow her to work even with a mask and masks only work for a short uppityperson Jan 2013 #153

Well, I hope the masks work for a long time eilen Jan 2013 #223

Some do. The ordinary cheap ones do not though. uppityperson Jan 2013 #224

Ever worked in a grocery store? Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #198

But if they stay home, the do not get paid. RC Jan 2013 #160

+1000 - when I taught 6th grade, I got sick every other week b/c the kids were sent to school sick wordpix Jan 2013 #161

Do some information seeking before you pass judgment. FlowerGurl Jan 2013 #164

Lying there in the hospital in a weakened state, immune system compromised, infant or oldster... Hekate Jan 2013 #9

Critical Care Unit obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #59

Science?? RobinA Jan 2013 #91

Oh, please. A century of hard research is not enough for you? Hekate Jan 2013 #92

I've Read That Book RobinA Jan 2013 #107

Well you can lead a horse to water... Hekate Jan 2013 #108

A large portion of people in our State got the shot and still got the flu. The flu glinda Jan 2013 #12

It takes a while for the flu shot to build up the immunity. If you have the shot and Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #16

He got it way way early. glinda Jan 2013 #30

Thanks. He has a chest infection and so far no pneumonia. Knock on wood. glinda Jan 2013 #31

I'll be sending him the good vibes. Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #39

Thanks! He needs it! glinda Jan 2013 #41

I have an ER DOC friend on Chicago's south side. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2013 #45

Three years ago I got the flu after getting a flu shot for the first time. pacalo Jan 2013 #23

The "3-day flu" and influenza are not the same virus, according to my doctor Hekate Jan 2013 #25

You are absolutely correct......... mrmpa Jan 2013 #29

I got the so-called "Hong Kong Flu" in December, 1968 The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #33

You are right: that is classic influenza and it can kill. I'm currently reading... Hekate Jan 2013 #38

It is an amazing book, isn't it? nt Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #40

That's a great book obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #61

100% correct obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #60

influenza is caused by a VIRUS Carolina Jan 2013 #63

I know that obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #67

I had a friend die of swine flu Marrah_G Jan 2013 #168

If you don't cough for a couple weeks, it probably was not influenza uppityperson Jan 2013 #155

No. They already had the flu virus ... Deep13 Jan 2013 #28

I have a right to be the next typhoid Mary! Deep13 Jan 2013 #18

Efficacy of current flu vaccines questioned Celebration Jan 2013 #19

Outrage Killer!!! RobinA Jan 2013 #93

What religion lets you be a nurse but not take a shot? McCamy Taylor Jan 2013 #21

The problem for the Hospital is this nurse was permitted NOT to take the vaccine for 21 years. happyslug Jan 2013 #24

Thanks for this information Carolina Jan 2013 #66

I wouldn't expect any civil rights case to go very far Major Nikon Jan 2013 #197

I had influenza once dflprincess Jan 2013 #27

The flu VIRUS doesn't understand democracy.... ReRe Jan 2013 #35

Very well said. The last bout of influenza I had I ended up with pneumonitis... Hekate Jan 2013 #42

my mom has advanced Alzheimer's & home health aides coming & going 24/7, along with me who works wordpix Jan 2013 #36

You are very lucky ReRe Jan 2013 #44

we use the gloves but the masks are a great idea - they'd probably scare her, though wordpix Jan 2013 #159

Yeah, that might not be a good idea, i.e. the mask. Don't do mask if it scares her. ReRe Jan 2013 #163

similar to my Mom at home /w family care 24/7. Was routine, her Dr. always gave the flu vaccine. Sunlei Jan 2013 #76

I haven't taken mom for flu vaccine, and she hasn't had flu for 5 yrs. with Alzheimer's wordpix Jan 2013 #158

same with my Mom never sick except for that horrid Alzheimers. Sunlei Jan 2013 #190

you can get the flu from the Mona Jan 2013 #48

More vaccine myth repeated - please provide sources csziggy Jan 2013 #86

yes, you can get... Mona Jan 2013 #98

Provide sources for your claims csziggy Jan 2013 #99

No, you cannot obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #112

This site tends to have a kneejerk reaction to nurses eilen Jan 2013 #137

Stopped using mercury - "in most vaccines." OhZone Jan 2013 #147

Oh jesus christ Confusious Jan 2013 #165

The unsubstantiated claim was that aluminum was used in live flu vaccines csziggy Jan 2013 #174

Maybe it's harmful or maybe it's not - OhZone Jan 2013 #217

Do you have a link to that claim? csziggy Jan 2013 #218

Easily google-able! OhZone Jan 2013 #227

You cannot get the flu from the vax obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #111

May their convictions towards their own personal choices find them well in their next career(s)... Earth_First Jan 2013 #49

Several years ago, I worked in a hospital in which employees were told to take flu shots. AdHocSolver Jan 2013 #50

You see tama Jan 2013 #57

The very essence of this story. CanSocDem Jan 2013 #82

Touche RobinA Jan 2013 #96

I agree FlowerGurl Jan 2013 #172

These are medical workers intaglio Jan 2013 #53

She should have been fired obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #58

Seems to me you can pass along the germs MissMillie Jan 2013 #71

Yes RobinA Jan 2013 #97

Good. (nt) Paladin Jan 2013 #73

Who's the big pharmas making bank on flu shots anyway? Puzzledtraveller Jan 2013 #74

No one "makes bank" on flu shots obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #80

+1 HuckleB Jan 2013 #115

3% of what pharma makes is from ALL vaccines Confusious Jan 2013 #166

People with flu are contagious BEFORE they have flu symptoms. Sunlei Jan 2013 #75

I worked for an accounting firm revolution breeze Jan 2013 #78

How would she make her patients sick roody Jan 2013 #83

People with flu are contagious before showing symptoms nt craychek Jan 2013 #84

By the time you know you have the flu, it's too late obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #113

I get my flu shot every year with no complaints. Jennicut Jan 2013 #85

Efficacy of Flu Vaccine RobinA Jan 2013 #90

What do you do for a living? snooper2 Jan 2013 #94

lol obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #114

CDC recommends the vaccine Confusious Jan 2013 #169

It Does Seem RobinA Jan 2013 #204

Well I think the claim of side effects Confusious Jan 2013 #207

By My Dictionary RobinA Jan 2013 #215

I'm an RN. . . BigDemVoter Jan 2013 #100

At least in California if a healthcare person who deals with patients does not take the flu vaccine, still_one Jan 2013 #102

My mandatory flu vaccine did a great job this year. ileus Jan 2013 #118

I have never had either one of them. A flu shot or the flu itself. CBGLuthier Jan 2013 #120

Anyone working in a medical setting should get vaccinated Samurai_Writer Jan 2013 #127

Hospital employees without flu shots are all potential Typhoid Marys. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #131

I get the flu shot every year now. Especially since that new strain cropped up that kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #135

I had flu vaccine and have been sick 3 times since Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2013 #136

I wonder how high on the pay scale and close to retirement these nurses were. nt eilen Jan 2013 #138

Mandatory Flu Vaccines for Healthcare Workers – Why one man chose the mask lovuian Jan 2013 #139

A nurse that gets a flu shot but does not wash his or her hands is far more SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #145

Bullshit Confusious Jan 2013 #171

No, bullshit SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #173

The flu is spread by touch, not by breathing. Confusious Jan 2013 #176

Who stands close to a couching or sneezing person? If you do that I guess you are asking to get sick SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #178

Most infections Confusious Jan 2013 #179

CAN spread up to 6 feet, but unlikely. And again, you have to be sick (so you should stay home if SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #182

So you have problems reading? Confusious Jan 2013 #183

No, do you have problems reading? It says surfaces less often. It does not say SWTORFanatic Jan 2013 #185

Jesus Fing Christ Confusious Jan 2013 #186

You can be contagious up to 7 days Mojorabbit Jan 2013 #203

every fly in a plane or go to the store? you are exposed and close to sick people & share the air. Sunlei Jan 2013 #192

So what? That's a total moot point. WestCoastLib Jan 2013 #225

I have no sympathy for them. One of my friends almost died from influenza this week. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #151

Hey, hospitals are not hiring someone if they are a nicotine user on their own time. What is the Purveyor Jan 2013 #152

this reminds me..i get a free shot from medicare madrchsod Jan 2013 #177

Taking the flu vaccine would have little effect on passing the disease to someone else. AdHocSolver Jan 2013 #200

Contracting the flu when you are already sick enough to be hospitalized can be appleannie1 Jan 2013 #201

My best friend mimi85 Jan 2013 #205

So would unionization have made better safety standards? alp227 Jan 2013 #206

A flu vaccine is not a guarantee that one won't get the flu lovuian Jan 2013 #208

You have the inalienable right to think on your own, Trillo Jan 2013 #209

All it would take jrandom421 Jan 2013 #210

There is no evidence that vaccinating healthcare workers prevents flu in elderly patients. Prometheus Bound Jan 2013 #211

No sympathy here. AngryOldDem Jan 2013 #214

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Jan 2013 #216

I'd take the HepB vaccine sharp_stick Jan 2013 #219

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Jan 2013 #222

You want to do as much as you can to protect Lars39 Jan 2013 #220

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Jan 2013 #221

No sympathy here either. matt819 Jan 2013 #226