Mandatory Flu vaccine?

genma1987

I just found out today that my employer is mandating the flu vaccine for ALL employees, unless they have a medical reason to not get it. I personally do not get the vaccine, as I never get the flu. We risk losing our jobs if we don't get it. I'm pretty upset. They don't give an option of wearing masks, except to the ones who have a medical condition. I HAVE gotten it in the past, but personally don't like to get it. I guess I'm curious how many people out there think this is totally illegal and communistic....besides me.

:mad:

mommared53

It sounds illegal to me but . . . .

No Betty! Zip it! Don't want to get this thread locked.

I don't know what to tell you genma. I don't get the flu shot either and I don't what I'd do if I were in your position.

strawberry25shortcake

I agree with mommared53....and like she said "i will zip it too". Personally, I think that flu shots are BS and don't work...but- that's just me. In my experiences people who did get the shot would get sick within a day or so.

czewwhat

I don't know what your line of work is, however the predictions by the cdc say employers will lose substantial productivity from their employees passing this flu around. It is the golden rule, He who has the gold makes the rules. Are you in a right to work state, or a state with Labor rules? That would be important, however in this economy many people are in line to get any job. Just food for thought!
At least you have notice and have time to try to find a new job if you are totally opposed to vaccines.

Phoenix_Rising

I too was wondering what your line of business is?

Phoenix_Rising

See if you can't get your family doctor to write you a note, stating you have a medical reason to not have it. (The reason, which won't be stated, will be your fear of the shot, or whatever.)


EDIT - Not necessarily "fear" but..... displeasure with the forced nature of it all

ClarkOMan

Consult your doctor. If s/he agrees with you thats a medical thing and get a note.

ClarkOMan

Great minds think alike Lauryn1981 :laugh:

zebras

Can your doctor give you a "medical" reason not to have it? Often people can opt out of vaccines for religious reasons too. I know that many people use the religion excuse as their reason, even though they aren't in one of those religions but they feel strongly about some of the unproven side effects of some of these vaccines on children.

genma1987

I'm a medical assistant in a clinic. But they are mandating it even for the IS people, and those who have no patient contact. I understand about the risks of getting the flu, but when the flu vaccine doesn't protect against the current year's flu, because that strain is unknown, you still run the risk of getting the flu. I have never taken a sick day in the last 5 years, with the exception of my first year that I DID get it, and was laid up for 2 days with flu-like symptoms.

ClarkOMan

CDC says allergy to chicken eggs or having had a severe reaction to vaccine in the past should not be vaccinated.

Sacredmaiden

Hi there,

Another "legitimate" reason you can often use to get out of the vaccination is "religious reasons." If that's helpful...

I don't understand why so many business are flustered about seeing their employees vaccinated (I'm opting out at my workplace, btw). Viruses change with each host! So one ends up being immunized for ONE STRAIN and one strain only. Sure, your body build anti-bodies for it, but they are only good against that one strain. AND your system is in a weakened state while it fights off the virus, which opens one up for attack by other viruses one doesn't have anti-bodies for.

Retarded.

genma1987

Plus, it's the whole principal of mandating that we have a foreign substance pumped into our bodies 'or else'.

mnichol

I work in a hospital but have no direct patient contact, but i do walk thru areas that do. I get a shot every year with no obvious side effects. But the shot out now is not for H1N1, so i'm curious that your employer is pushing it. My hospital isn't even offering the reg flu shots yet and no talk about the H1N1. I will get a shot this year and the other if its offered. I would not want to bring a virus home to my family.

this is all the more reason for all of us to take care of ourselves, eat right and exercise!!

czewwhat

Does your employer have to pay you sick days? Imagine if everyone in your office got exposed, over a two week period. Half were mild, half were severe, even hospitalized, you employer would have to pay the sick pay as well as someone to fill their shoes while they were out. Lots of money and this flu has taken a few lives, perhaps your employer wants not to lose any of his or her employees to a flu virus that could kill. not defending the mandate, just trying to look at both sides.

genma1987

our 'sick time' is just lumped in with PTO pot of hours each year. So, no, they wouldn't have to pay any extra time off if people got sick. Again, it's the principal of not having a say in the matter. I don't work in an area where 'sick' people come. I work in a specialty area, and people normally cancel their appointments if they are sick, my exposure is very limited. I get more exposure shopping and going to church!

czewwhat

our 'sick time' is just lumped in with PTO pot of hours each year. So, no, they wouldn't have to pay any extra time off if people got sick. Again, it's the principal of not having a say in the matter. I don't work in an area where 'sick' people come. I work in a specialty area, and people normally cancel their appointments if they are sick, my exposure is very limited. I get more exposure shopping and going to church!

You are not in a right to work state,are you in a union? If so contact your union rep.

Your last statement is proof you could get exposed like all of us in the world. People sneeze, cough and spit on the ground, hand washing seems optional to alot of people, I am shocked every time I use a public restroom how many people leave after visiting the restroom without washing their hands. I don't know if the vaccine will do any good at all, but I am sure there is no malice on the part of your employer! Often standing up for what you believe in cost something. You are the only one who can choose if your job is the price you want to pay for standing up. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Solandra

In a medical clinic, or school, or public library, or any high volume public-exposure facility, I can actually see flu shots being compulsory, even for folks who have no patient contact. If I as an IT associate was exposed to the flu by my kids, and then exposed my coworkers who do work with patients, then the patients are exposed, and their health is probably compromised to begin with (if they're coming into a medical clinic), etc. I used to work for a subacute rehab facility, and while I was there, hepatitis and flu shots were required and paid for by the employer, even if you never even spoke with a patient.

It's something that I lump into the "objectionable but not awful enough to sacrifice my job for" category, like random drug testing, higher health insurance premiums for associates who are tobacco users (I'm not, but still), etc.

mommared53

Genma, check your messages. I sent you a message re someone you could contact and see if they can help you.

czewwhat

My husband is a Truck driver and has to submit to random drug tests all the time, his employer is a small company, to get cheaper insurance rates, he signed his company up for this program. My husband loses a half a day of work to comply, sometimes twice a year! yep it sucks, but not bad enough to lose his job over.

Marla64

big difference between making sure someone's not doped up while driving the company's truck, and forcing someone to inject themselves with a vaccine they may or may not want-- please-- :noway:

What next? Your employer is going to mandate what you eat, too-- no sugar allowed on the job because it's not good for you? Only flax in your peanut butter?

Mandatory umbrellas on rainy days so you don't get the sniffles?

Madness-- I'd fight it.

czewwhat

big difference between making sure someone's not doped up while driving the company's truck, and forcing someone to inject themselves with a vaccine they may or may not want-- please-- :noway:

What next? Your employer is going to mandate what you eat, too-- no sugar allowed on the job because it's not good for you? Only flax in your peanut butter?

Mandatory umbrellas on rainy days so you don't get the sniffles?

Madness-- I'd fight it.

Personally I agree with you and her. But my hubby having drug testing after being a professional for 31 years and never failing a test! waste of time on him. When people take care to be healthy, eat healthy and be sanitary, they are not the ones at risk. But there are alot of filthy people out there. I would hate for my grandson to get sick because his preschool teacher came to work with symptoms but could not afford to take the day off. Thus exposing an entire class of 4 year olds. It is a huge debate everywhere right now.

Sherry79

Although I am not "opposed" to the flu shot I would be extremely upset if my employer (or anyone for that matter!!) was forcing it on me. Maybe everyone will take it and get sick from the side effects and NO ONE will be able to work for a couple days!!!:laugh: :laugh: Okay just a little humor. . .but can you imagine the big wigs if no one showed up for work????? But seriously, it sounds like a legal issue to me if you wanted to fight it!

czewwhat

Like the flu that ravaged the world in 1918 (Spanish Influenza) nearly 30% died. in some places Perhaps this is the one that will thin out the herd and shake a few more of the weak from the planet! If we don't start taking care of the planet, it will take care of us!

Sorry for going off topic. Just thinking out loud.

mommared53

Genma, click on the My Home tab and under that tab click on Mail.

BrendaLee

Hmm...it doesn't sound legal to me by any means, though I do think it's for the greater good. I know I'm anxiously awaiting the flu vaccine this year, and my daughter who has never gotten it in the past will definitely be getting it this year.

__


Can I just say- I've gotten the flu shot for the past 3 or 4 years, and have not had a flu in that time. Not once. I think sometimes people mistake a cold for the flu, but the flu shot definitely does work (for me anyhow).

magichatter06

This might be helpful....


http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/31/flu.hm.flu.shot/

Phoenix_Rising

I dunno here.... I don't like the legal issue raised BUT it was mandatory for me to have a TB shot (among others) before entering college. There are mandatory booster shots for kids before entering school, although school is compulsory (although you can always homeschool and avoid the issue... like it's just that simple).

I dislike the mandate. I admire companies who offer and "highly encourage" their employees to take advantage, but "do it or lose your job" is seemingly wrong.

And I just can't help but think -- IT IS JUST THE FREAKIN' FLU!!! In a healthy individual, it is JUST THE FLU.

My daughter had strep a month ago. They refused to test her for the flu (and here in NC, they won't even test for the H1N1 strain anymore, unless you are hospitalized). My MIL kept her while she was out of school, and MIL ended up with strep and the flu too, and according to her the doctor told her that it was probably H1N1 (like he can just look and 'know' *rolls eyes*). So my 4 year old daughter and my 50+ year old MIL both survived what might have been *insert freaked out voice here* THE SWINE FLU!!! *sarcastic gasp*. H1N1 or not, it WAS the flu, and most people with healthy (or relatively "normal") immune systems recover adequately.

I also have sick and vacation days lumped into one big PTO pot, which means the employer doesn't feel any strain when I am out sick, other than the last minute nature of illness.

Again -- I just don't like the forced nature of it. BUT if you could lose your job, I'd run to the family doc and get an excusal note from the shot (if you don't want to have it administered). Not worth losing your job over, imo.

July24Lioness

I work in a hospital but have no direct patient contact, but i do walk thru areas that do. I get a shot every year with no obvious side effects. But the shot out now is not for H1N1, so i'm curious that your employer is pushing it. My hospital isn't even offering the reg flu shots yet and no talk about the H1N1. I will get a shot this year and the other if its offered. I would not want to bring a virus home to my family.

this is all the more reason for all of us to take care of ourselves, eat right and exercise!!

You can still bring the virus home to your family even if you get immunized against it. If you touch things, germs are there. Germs are airborne and get on your clothes, hair, skin, etc..............So, we are all transmitting germs to each other in many ways, even without having contact with one another.

I have noticed that since I have went to natural eating without processed foods and I stopped using all of the Anti-bacterial stuff (cleaners, dish soap, bath soap, etc) I rarely get sick.

One of the reasons so many people get sick is because so many people use all the anti-microbial and anti-bacterial stuff and it kills off all the germs, so people don't build up a defense to any of the stuff.

My rule of thumb has been just wash hands on a regular basis, sneeze or cough into my bended arm and try to eat right as much as possible and get adequate rest.

I have not been sick with cold or flu in over 3 years now and I have not been eating 100% all 3 of those years.

9726172000

This is not illegal. Think of it this way. If you are required to wear certain kind of clothing like (a nurses uniform, a suit & tie, ect..) for your job, then why not the flu shot. If you work or are around, children, the elderly, people that their immune system is down and they got the flu from you, then how would you feel. Also maybe your employer is just looking out for his/her employee's. If the employee get's sick with the flu or even the H1N1 flu and is out for atlest 1-2 weeks then the person who got the flu has put a burrdon on everyone else at their job. Just my own opion

I just found out today that my employer is mandating the flu vaccine for ALL employees, unless they have a medical reason to not get it. I personally do not get the vaccine, as I never get the flu. We risk losing our jobs if we don't get it. I'm pretty upset. They don't give an option of wearing masks, except to the ones who have a medical condition. I HAVE gotten it in the past, but personally don't like to get it. I guess I'm curious how many people out there think this is totally illegal and communistic....besides me.

:mad:

Nich0le

I'm a medical assistant in a clinic. But they are mandating it even for the IS people, and those who have no patient contact. I understand about the risks of getting the flu, but when the flu vaccine doesn't protect against the current year's flu, because that strain is unknown, you still run the risk of getting the flu. I have never taken a sick day in the last 5 years, with the exception of my first year that I DID get it, and was laid up for 2 days with flu-like symptoms.

I don't know how legal it is but it is HIGHLY recommended for ANYONE working in the medical, dental or who work with kids to get the vaccine. This is a preventative measure every year to keep those who treat the ill or who will be more likely to come in contact with an infectious person from getting and passing the disease along to others. Yes, the strain is unknown but there is some belief among "the medical community" that getting the regular flu vaccine may help decrease the possibility of contracting and spreading H1N1. The reason is that H1N1 is easily spread and contracted by people while they have the regular flu, making it even more difficult to detect and cure.

My kids are school age and I work at home for a dentist and even though I am only in the office once or twice a month I am getting everyone in my house a flu shot for the first time ever. Now, my employer is paying for all of the employees to get the vaccine and it is a small cost for my kids and husband. I would consider this to be just as preventative as the hepatitis shots we are required to get or the shots you need to get if you prick yourself with a HIV infected persons syringe. Yes, it's not very likely you will contract these diseases but why not protect yourself.

Personally, I think you are letting your pride get in the way of doing what is most likely the right thing to do, especially with the concern of H1N1. Really, it's only a shot and it is rare for you to contract the flu from the flu shot, the probability of you going through that again is little to none, and besides, you said you only had it for 2 days when normally contracted you would have been out for an average of 10 days.