Forced flu shot at work

12357…18

Replies

  • 76tech
    76tech Posts: 1,455 Member
    Flu shots will NOT prevent you from getting sick. However, every time you get one, you reduce the risk of getting killed by the virus. The first time you get it, you decrease the risk of death by 50%. Each shot after that, the percent increases.

    My opinion?

    Get the damn shot.

    Not trolling, but I would like a citation for these figures. Out of curiosity. It relates to work I've done in the past with a virologist colleague at Cambridge.

    And for me...I personally don't believe in the flu shot. Methods have gotten better year to year, and maybe we're at a point where we are no longer vaccinating against *last* year's threats. But unless I have a compromised immune system, I won't get the shot.

    Unless I was in health care, dealing with patients. I'd get the shot in OP's case.
  • Seriousmom3
    Seriousmom3 Posts: 164
    This one time my employer tried to make me take a free car...and I was like hell no. J/K. Wish I could get a free Flu Shot instead of shelling out $25. Let me tell you, the sick you get from the shot is way less worrisome than the sick you get from the flu. Personal experience.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    I would fight it. Violation of your human rights. Plus I am a believer that flu shots contribute to these super flu's that keep killing people. (along with people taking only half of their prescriptions)

    This is not how immunity works, at all. flu shots have NO effect on making super-flu bugs. You're mixing it up with overuse of antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    So, the forced flu shot thing is going to be Federally mandated by the CDC starting next year! Medicaid and Medicare are jumping on board and will actually withhold payment up to 2% if a certain percentage of hosptial employees have not had the flu shot by 12/31.
    2% is a lot of money for any hospital, especially from Medicare which is typically the highest payor for any institution.


    Just FYI.....

    Yes and more diseases and bugs are spread in the hospital than anywhere else so the hospital staff especially should be vaccinated. The worst place in the world to get sick is in the hospital. They carry the super bugs.
  • jetabear10
    jetabear10 Posts: 375 Member
    The flu shot doesn't mean you are magically immune either and sometimes the side effects/reactions from the shot can seriously hurt you and even kill you.

    Roll the dice with a vaccination? I think not!

    I'll take my chances with what I was given naturally to fend off the flu...my immune system.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    The flu shot doesn't mean you are magically immune either and sometimes the side effects/reactions from the shot can seriously hurt you and even kill you.

    Roll the dice with a vaccination? I think not!

    I'll take my chances with what I was given naturally to fend off the flu...my immune system.

    Magically immune, no. Actually immune to three influenza strains, yes! I will take that over 0% immune any year. I 've had the flu and it was DEBILITATING. Side effects of the shot are rare, and I'd rather take my chances with that, than get the flu again.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    Flu shots will NOT prevent you from getting sick. However, every time you get one, you reduce the risk of getting killed by the virus. The first time you get it, you decrease the risk of death by 50%. Each shot after that, the percent increases.

    My opinion?

    Get the damn shot.

    Not trolling, but I would like a citation for these figures. Out of curiosity. It relates to work I've done in the past with a virologist colleague at Cambridge.

    And for me...I personally don't believe in the flu shot. Methods have gotten better year to year, and maybe we're at a point where we are no longer vaccinating against *last* year's threats. But unless I have a compromised immune system, I won't get the shot.

    Unless I was in health care, dealing with patients. I'd get the shot in OP's case.

    The first posted above is WRONG! The flu shot prevents you from getting that strain of the flu bug that the shot is aimed at. You can get other flu strains but the shot itself is the flu bug that the CDC predicts will be the "BIG" one for that year.
  • janalayn
    janalayn Posts: 510 Member
    I worked in a doctors office and had to get one. I told her they always make me sick - I missed 3 weeks of work and she never made me get another one.
  • lilchino4af
    lilchino4af Posts: 1,292 Member
    Being in the military, the flu shot is required for all active duty to maintain our readiness. The only choice we have is flu mist or flu shot (live vs. inactive virus). It's free so I'm not complaining, especially since I've never gotten sick with it <knock on wood>. :wink:
  • Loko_Ino
    Loko_Ino Posts: 544 Member
    hmmm...my hospital is also requiring.
    seems reasonable since it is beneficial to patient care, and they pay me.
  • 76tech
    76tech Posts: 1,455 Member
    Flu shots will NOT prevent you from getting sick. However, every time you get one, you reduce the risk of getting killed by the virus. The first time you get it, you decrease the risk of death by 50%. Each shot after that, the percent increases.

    My opinion?

    Get the damn shot.

    Not trolling, but I would like a citation for these figures. Out of curiosity. It relates to work I've done in the past with a virologist colleague at Cambridge.

    And for me...I personally don't believe in the flu shot. Methods have gotten better year to year, and maybe we're at a point where we are no longer vaccinating against *last* year's threats. But unless I have a compromised immune system, I won't get the shot.

    Unless I was in health care, dealing with patients. I'd get the shot in OP's case.

    The first posted above is WRONG! The flu shot prevents you from getting that strain of the flu bug that the shot is aimed at. You can get other flu strains but the shot itself is the flu bug that the CDC predicts will be the "BIG" one for that year.

    (thank you)
    :flowerforyou:
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    The first posted above is WRONG! The flu shot prevents you from getting that strain of the flu bug that the shot is aimed at. You can get other flu strains but the shot itself is the flu bug that the CDC predicts will be the "BIG" one for that year.

    The shot actually prevents three different flu strains.
  • shiseido_faerie
    shiseido_faerie Posts: 771 Member
    A huge part of me says "BUT IT'S YOUR CHOICE!!!!" But, at the same time, if you work in hospital... You're dealing with already sick people, and don't want to pass anything along to them -- you're also exposed to it much more than most people, and hospitals are (usually) under-staffed as it is.

    In MY workplace, I'd be pretty pissed. In yours, I can understand the reasoning.

    ^^This
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    You have the right to refuse.
    They have the right to fire you

    You have to decide what is more important to you
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Nope. I very much do not believe in them and would absolutely refuse, I would not use religious reasons, when they fired me, I'd sue their god damn *kitten* off their freaking faces. (obviously, I feel very strongly about ths).

    Agreed. I have not had the flu since 2004 and I work with super germ-filled college students (dental students to be precise). I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing--it's working well to keep me healthy and my immune system strong. When I travel a lot for work I get plenty of sleep and exercise. I try not to shake hands with every new person I meet (very tough at events). I eat ginger and green tea. I don't use antibiotic soap--just regular soap. :)
  • bethygirlie
    bethygirlie Posts: 311 Member
    I actually have a reaction from it that makes me throw up for like 3 days....so I always say about how I get a reaction from it from it. If they want me out for 3 days because of throwing up, then have at it.
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    The flu shot doesn't mean you are magically immune either and sometimes the side effects/reactions from the shot can seriously hurt you and even kill you.

    Roll the dice with a vaccination? I think not!

    I'll take my chances with what I was given naturally to fend off the flu...my immune system.

    NOT at all true! The flu shot will prevent you from getting the strain of the flu that the particular shot was intended for. The CDC every year tries to predict which strain of the flu will be big that year and that is the strain the shot is made for. Now they are making it so that the flu shot targets 3 different strains where as before it was just one. I"m currently in the study and got vaccinated for 3 strains. It was a sub cutaneous vaccination. My daughter who is now an adult is in the same study. For me getting the flu means I may loose my vision, may not be able to walk again, can become paralyzed etc thanks to having MS. I would NEVER advise anyone against getting the flu shot.
  • gkwatra
    gkwatra Posts: 431 Member
    The problem is, the flu shots MAKE me sick!! And I mean, REALLY sick as in 100+ fever and bad coughing to the point of pulled muscles in my stomach. I had the shot twice and both times I got horribly sick. Either I caught a virus that the shot obviously didn't cover, or something in my body just rejects it. So, on that grounds, I would say no. But, I realize I would most likely need a Dr. note to confirm that.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    I actually have a reaction from it that makes me throw up for like 3 days....so I always say about how I get a reaction from it from it. If they want me out for 3 days because of throwing up, then have at it.


    Wow, sorry about that. Sounds awful. But still better than the flu.
  • angraham2
    angraham2 Posts: 128
    In my work place it is optional, and the office pays for it. I decline because I am alergic to something in the shot. I get violently ill if I get the flue or pneumonia shot. I can see in a hospital how it could be made manditory. so I guess i am fairly neutral
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    I actually have a reaction from it that makes me throw up for like 3 days....so I always say about how I get a reaction from it from it. If they want me out for 3 days because of throwing up, then have at it.
    You could have had that reaction to any vaccination. It was probably one of the preservatives in the vaccination that got you sick. I had to stop my MS injections because they changed the formula and added a preservative that made me vomit for a few days after each shot. Just as I felt better I had to take another shot only to get sick again. I had little to no quality of life and it wasn't worth it to me to constantly take that injectable and be sick all the time. We're talking once a year here people.
  • ReneeCK
    ReneeCK Posts: 63 Member
    I work in a hospital and have been mandated to receive the influenza vaccination for YEARS by the company. No problem getting it and make sure all my kids get it... *shrug* But, that's just me. Besides, they give you ways to opt out. Just cite religious reasons.

    I can see the issue with someone feeling "forced" to get it. A basic human rights issue, maybe?

    But please, please don't call someone who works in healthcare "selfish" for not wanting to get it. People who do have careers caring for the elderly and sick do these jobs because they care. And, they (we) are still people who should be able to make the decision about what goes into our bodies.
  • WhoTheHellIsBen
    WhoTheHellIsBen Posts: 1,238 Member
    bottom line, check with a lawyer and see if this is legal
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    Nope. I very much do not believe in them and would absolutely refuse, I would not use religious reasons, when they fired me, I'd sue their god damn *kitten* off their freaking faces. (obviously, I feel very strongly about ths).

    Agreed. I have not had the flu since 2004 and I work with super germ-filled college students (dental students to be precise). I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing--it's working well to keep me healthy and my immune system strong. When I travel a lot for work I get plenty of sleep and exercise. I try not to shake hands with every new person I meet (very tough at events). I eat ginger and green tea. I don't use antibiotic soap--just regular soap. :)

    What exactly are you going to sue for?
  • gkwatra
    gkwatra Posts: 431 Member
    So, if my employer can handle me being out of the office sick for a week, then, sure, I'll take one ...
  • vkruithof
    vkruithof Posts: 227 Member
    All of a sudden, it would be against my religion to get a flu shot.

    I think I'm with you. I don't like the idea of being told to do something. I'd like to say I can see they're reasoning, but working in a hospital, aren't you already more exposed/therefore more immune to certain things?

    The last time I got a flu shot I was miserably sick and missed the most work I've ever missed. I won't do it again, until I'm old and it makes complete sense, and then I'm still not positive I will....
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    I work at an inpatient facility, and understand why they would press the issue. I know for a fact how viruses can spread in an inpatient setting. So I will definately get the shot. Now someone telling me I'm gonna get fired if I dont take the shot does rub me the wrong way.
    Yeah I can understand being pissed at the threat of being fired if you don't want to get it. I think they should maybe say well if your out sick this year you won't get paid for those sick days if you don't get the flu shot? Maybe? Don't know never had the threat of being fired held over my head before. I just willingly got the shot. I've even had to get the Hep B shot for work as well and school for that matter. In order to start Dental Hygiene classes I had to show proof that I had all of those vaccinations. If not then we were not allowed to step foot in class.
  • Sheila4046
    Sheila4046 Posts: 28
    I work for a hospital and they offer free flu shots every year, but if the employees do not get the flu shot we have to sign a waiver. Now the rumor is that maybe soon if an employee does not get the flu shot their job will be on the line. I work in an office, but the office i work in is in a separate building, across the street from the hospital, and we have NO PATIENT CONTACT what so ever, so why should our jobs be on the line? I got a flu shot about 17 years ago first time ever and got so sick it was unreal, never got another flu shot and have not had the flu at all. There are doctors that are now stating they are against the flu shot. So what now. I will not be getting the flu shot this year either. They can't fire everybody who refuse, especially if they do not have direct patient contact.
    Be blessed and well everyone:smile:
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    All of a sudden, it would be against my religion to get a flu shot.

    I think I'm with you. I don't like the idea of being told to do something. I'd like to say I can see they're reasoning, but working in a hospital, aren't you already more exposed/therefore more immune to certain things?

    The last time I got a flu shot I was miserably sick and missed the most work I've ever missed. I won't do it again, until I'm old and it makes complete sense, and then I'm still not positive I will....

    You do not develop a natural immunity to the flu. Thats why they push to get all employees vaccinated rather than just testing to see if your immune.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Nope. I very much do not believe in them and would absolutely refuse, I would not use religious reasons, when they fired me, I'd sue their god damn *kitten* off their freaking faces. (obviously, I feel very strongly about ths).

    Agreed. I have not had the flu since 2004 and I work with super germ-filled college students (dental students to be precise). I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing--it's working well to keep me healthy and my immune system strong. When I travel a lot for work I get plenty of sleep and exercise. I try not to shake hands with every new person I meet (very tough at events). I eat ginger and green tea. I don't use antibiotic soap--just regular soap. :)

    What exactly are you going to sue for?

    I don't believe a law exists on the books that mandates flu shots to work in an office. I have heard of public schools requiring the shots for all students (this also to me seems wrong). I would not sue but I would bring all of the legal information to work and meet with HR (if they suddenly started to require them at my workplace). Someone in an earlier response mentioned the hospital losing funding from Medicare and Medicaid (so that's at a federal level). While it is not the law for all of the workers in that hospital to get the shot the government is putting them in a spot where they have to comply (or risk losing funding).

    In this case with a hospital, and involving medicare and medicaid there would be no point of a lawsuit because that decision is coming from the Federal Government. A hospital losing 2% of its funding for being non compliant regarding the flu shot is not worth the risk. No lawsuit would save your job in this case.

Categories