Should Healthcare Workers Be Required To Get Flu Shots?

by SodaHead News Posted 2013/01/19 21:24:14

Related Topics: Flu Season, Flu Shots, Health

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	Yes	354 votes	49%
	No	367 votes	51%

According to The Los Angeles Times health writer Anna Gorman, despite the most serious flu season the United States has seen in years, only about 60 percent of healthcare workers--doctors and nurses, among others--get their annual flu shots. That means roughly 40 percent of healthcare workers choose not to get flu shots, even with the huge risk of catching the illness when around sick patients.

The statistic was uncovered by the California Department of Public Health and officials are wondering whether they should encourage those reluctant to get their proper vaccinations or simply to just let them be. The problem is if those healthcare workers do happen to get sick, then they won't be there to treat sick patients, who rely on them for checkups, their expert opinions, and any needed medication.

The other major risk healthcare workers take in not getting their proper vaccinations is spreading potential illnesses to patients. Healthcare workers that don't get their shot would argue though that vaccinations can have harmful side effects to some and they don't want to put their health at risk. Whether they are putting themselves at more risk not getting their shots is anyone's guess.

Should Healthcare Workers Be Required To Get Flu S

Should Healthcare Workers Be Required To Get Flu S

+16

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Goducks5 2013/01/20 06:35:49

No

+10
No one should be required to get a flu shot.
>> See Replies

More polls by SodaHead News

Ian 2013/02/11 07:35:24

No

+1
I would say, they should be allowed to choose for themselves, since they're in a position to be informed.

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maryam 2013/02/07 08:06:43

Yes

prevention is always better

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Nerdette 2013/02/06 21:51:33 (edited)

No

+1
There are many strains of the flu. It doesn*t prevent health care workers from getting another strain.

In places I have worked,there has been no significant decrease in rate of flu illness or time out fm work before and after requiring or recommending flu shots.

If health care workers get sick they just stay out of work or practice the usual Universal Precautions.

Also, u are allowed to work as a health care worker with Hepatitis and AIDs and as a carrier of Tuberculosis

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Lester to Nerdette 2013/02/08 01:35:37

I thot the flu was substantially easier to transmit than HIV.

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Nerdette to Lester 2013/02/08 02:24:46

Yes.

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zebsmom 2013/02/03 17:52:36

No

It's sort of a moot point, because we are required to get them. Or wear a mask from October to April any time we're in a patient care area. Sucks for those of us who are actually allergic to the vaccine. There are places that fire workers for not getting one.

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Nerdette to zebsmom 2013/02/06 21:54:36 (edited)

+1
If ur allergic to it they dont make u get it if thats what u meant. That would be harmful and thus ridiculous

Also, as u probably know, a health care worker is suppose to follow the Patients Right rule that a patient has the right to refuse treatments or such. So I find it abhorrent they dont let health care workers have that right too with the flu. Maybe with polio or something but as I said u cant prevent someone fm getting all strains of flu and health care workers take precautions not to spread germs already

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zebsmom to Nerdette 2013/02/07 00:36:25 (edited)

Patients have rights. Staff don't. I have two choices where I work. Get the shot or wear a mask the entire time I'm at work for 6 months. Other hospitals don't have the mask option. Get the shot or lose your job. The CDC is now recommending that those of us who are allergic to the vaccine get it anyway.
I think the whole thing is about 1/3 patient protection and 2/3 saving $ on sick time/replacement staff. Interesting that kids with snot hanging down to their chest and hacking and coughing can still visit.

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Nerdette to zebsmom 2013/02/07 00:58:48

Ur right that it is up to place of employment what they want to do but its still ridiculous.

There have been no to lil decrease in flu cases at my jobs as there r many strains of flu and no flu vaccines for all of them

Plus CDC is often ridiculous. If ur allergic to it and get it every year u can easily go into anaphylactic shock

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zebsmom to Nerdette 2013/02/12 20:06:44

+1
LOL.You don't have to get it every year to go into anaphylactic shock-it only takes once.

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Nerdette to zebsmom 2013/02/12 20:53:21

+1
True. In my case it was after several times

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Syl 2013/02/02 00:12:48

No

There are better ways to prevent the flu

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9th of 9 2013/01/31 00:58:11

No

+1
They made my God Daughter get on, or lose her job.

Some sick people in this world, and it's not her.

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Nerdette to 9th of 9 2013/02/06 23:56:34 (edited)

Patients have the right to refuse but not health care workers. Sad. There are many strains of flu. Doesnt prevent them fm getting flu anyway. There has been no to little reduction in reported flu cases at my jobs

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9th of 9 to Nerdette 2013/02/07 00:11:18

It is sad, especially when she, a nurse, tells them it will do no good to try and prevent the flu strain that went through "last year".

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middlesex1957 2013/01/28 06:40:14

Yes

I was a laboratory technologist for 18 years. We all always got flu shots because we were exposed to the sickest people in the city and we didn't want to spread it around or worse, to our delicate patients who wouldn't survive it. Of course health care workers should get immunizations. We also got hepatitis A & B, and pneumonia too. It was our responcibility to ourselves and our patients. You know....the Hippocratic Oath? We actually took that seriously.

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Nerdette to middles... 2013/02/07 00:03:51

+1
I understand ur position of wanting to protect patients but see my responses above

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ratclifft 2013/01/24 01:08:21

No

if they don't want a shot then that is there right. i refuse to take one every year,and i work in the prison system

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gvc 2013/01/23 05:01:29

Yes

Totally irresponsible. Can I sue them if I catch the flu from them due to their ignorance?

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/07 08:48:26 (edited)

+1
Ignorance is thinking u can prevent all flu strains with one vaccine if thats what u meant

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/07 08:53:08

Ignorance is thinking anyone suggested you can.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/07 08:59:11

Ur the one who made the broad unspecified comment

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/07 09:50:22

Work on your comprehension skills.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/07 10:03:17 (edited)

+1
How bout u tell me what u meant instead of attacking?

Why would u sue if u could have prevented it urself?

BTW I know quite a lot of nurses and medical staff that have HIV or Hepatitis or r carriers of TB or have STDs . They are allowed to work in health care.

They take Universal Precautions to not infect anyone. Same as workers with flu.

When they have flu and are infectious they stay home. And after that take precautions

People still get a flu even if they have had a vaccine. It doesnt prevent people fm getting all strains of flu.

But if ur gonna sue make sure u know who exactly gave u the flu and that its the same strain u have.

Vaccines only do so much as u know

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/07 14:33:35

Do you really need me to spell out what I mean?

Read the question again, and then read my answer.

If you need further clarification get back to me.

Might help if you actually HAD a job and worked with the public....just saying.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/07 15:03:59 (edited)

I never said I don*t have a job. Where did you get that? Maybe u need to work on YOUR comprehension skills.

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/07 23:48:19

You have the mental capacity of a 15 year old. I would say you have never held a job were I guessing.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/08 00:39:05

U havent said anything factual or logical or reasonable.

All u can do is insult.

U must be a retarted Manager

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/08 00:41:41

Retarted? is that supposed to be a word?

Go outside and play Jr. let the adults talk.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/08 00:52:11

I see by ur profile page that u rarely string a sentence together. U seem like u prefer insulting people

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/08 00:53:54

From the child who can't spell, awwwwww you hurt me!

Blahahahaha NOT!

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/08 00:59:35

I will pray for u cuz u obviously need a brain and a heart

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gvc to Nerdette 2013/02/08 01:11:37

Thank You! I can use all the prayers I can get.

In the mean time, learn how to pick your battles.

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ernest.... to Nerdette 2013/02/08 04:32:35

+1
What she is saying, is she voted for Oboma. Insults come with the liberal territory.

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Nerdette to ernest.... 2013/02/08 04:48:50

+1
Thank u sincerely Ernest. I was so hurt after that cuz I rly wasnt trying to insult her. Just frustrated cuz I cant get as many jobs cuz Im deathly allergic to vaccines. But shes a Conservative according to her profile.

Thanks again

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ernest.... to Nerdette 2013/02/11 14:29:44

one of liberals favorite pass time is to mislead because they have no platform, it is all about feelings.

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Nerdette to gvc 2013/02/07 09:09:33

2. Also, if u dont want to get that flu then u get the flu shot

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ernest.... to Nerdette 2013/02/08 04:34:57

Um there is no scientific evidence the flue shot prevents that strain of flu and the shot will lower your immune system, and likely cause you to get sick from another strain.

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Nerdette to ernest.... 2013/02/08 04:51:53

+1
I hear yah. I just meant one vaccine cant prevent me getting another version of the flu

Would like to hear more fm u

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Nerdette to ernest.... 2013/02/08 05:22:37

+1
I mean I would get that flu or if that didnt work another one

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