Get vaccinated or Get Fired!!

NJPita22 · September 2013

My job recently made flu vaccines mandatory or face termination. Religious exemptions only.

I don't even take Advil while pregnant.

Marusika · September 2013

Say you`re religious.

snowclouds · September 2013

What do you do?

NJPita22 · September 2013

I work in an administrative office in a hospital. No patient contact.

AcaAwkward · September 2013

The difference is you're not supposed to take Advil while pregnant...but I've never heard of a doctor who didn't recommend the flu vaccine for pregnant woman.

Many jobs require the vaccine. I worked with mostly clients who lived in a battered women's shelter when pregnant with DD, and you better believe I was glad flu shots were required.

Eta: spelling

Sisimama10 · September 2013

I'm torn about whether I will get it or not, so I'm not telling you one way or another. If you feel very strongly against it I would get to work getting the religious exemption paperwork and finding out what you need to do to get out of it.

snowclouds · September 2013

Flu shots are recommended when you're pregnant. That being said, I do not get the flu shot and did not get it while pregnant with K. I would just cite religious reasons. Don't explain what they are just say you have religious reasons for refusing it.

thomas930 · September 2013

You can't take Advil while pregnant.

But most if not all doctors or midwives highly recommend getting a flu vaccine.

Having no patient contact does not spare you....the people around you still come into contact with patients and everyone else in the hospital...so unless you are in a bubble you are exposed to it.

cjpell0 · September 2013

What state are you in? I work in a hospital but I'm not near patients at all. They just require us to sign a notice stating we've been offered the shot and refuse it, if at any time in the future we wish to receive it, the shot will be available.

maelic · September 2013

Why wouldn't you take the flu vaccine? You obviously work in a health setting and it's for your safety and the patients' safety.

Rrrrrachel · September 2013

I don't like these mandates but there's piles of evidence saying the flu shot is safe during pregnancy.

NJPita22 · September 2013

I meant Tylenol not Advil. I always do that!!!
I know they say its safe but I just don't feel right about it. Up until now we could sign a declination and wouldn't have to get it and just wear a mask when within 6 ft of a patient. I don't work on a medical floor there are no patients on my floor and I'm in a closed unit where no patients come ever. I work in an office all day.

AcaAwkward · September 2013

I'm sorry, but I think it's kind of shitty to lie and say you have religious reasons for not getting the vaccine if that's not the case. If you are that adamant about opting out, I'd talk to your care provider about it first, and, if you still don't want it, have an honest conversation with your supervisor about what your options are.

Eta: this is in response to others telling you to lie -- I know you haven't said you were planning on lying, OP.

thomas930 · September 2013

kakers321 said:

I meant Tylenol not Advil. I always do that!!! I know they say its safe but I just don't feel right about it. Up until now we could sign a declination and wouldn't have to get it and just wear a mask when within 6 ft of a patient. I don't work on a medical floor there are no patients on my floor and I'm in a closed unit where no patients come ever. I work in an office all day.

But others around you do. My mom works in a hospital...on the first floor in and office with no patient contact...she is required to have a flu vaccine, you are still exposed to people walking in and out of the hospital. I'm sure you leave your office and go to the restroom on occasion or maybe the cafeteria...you are going to be exposed to people. You will be exposed to the flu by going to the store...even if you don't get the flu yourself, you can be a carrier of it and expose many other adults and children.

When pregnant, you get the one without the live virus in it anyways. A doctor wouldn't recommend it if it weren't safe.

kj07 · September 2013

Also, there are a number of physiological things about being pregnant that make you a bit more likely to end up with serious complications if you do end up getting the flu while pregnant.
This article from the March of Dimes touches on the changes: https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx

sueann911 · September 2013

The flu shot is safe during pregnancy. It also helps protects your child after birth as well. A baby can't be vaccinated until 6 months for the flu. So the only way to keep the flu away from your baby is to help prevent yourself and others around your child from getting the flu. Many doctors will recommend not having visitors who have not had the vaccination either.

Also, if you work in that facility, even without contact with patients, you are exposed.

CalinAZ · September 2013

The flu can be so dangerous not only to you, but to your baby, when you're pregnant. After having just a mild fever a few weeks ago, and seeing the research of how damaging high fevers can be (which often happen with the flu), I don't see why you wouldn't want to get it. It isn't a live virus and it will keep you both safe.

nikki912 · September 2013

Getting the flu when pregnant is extremely dangerous. I don't get the flu shot unless I'm pregnant. While I understand your hesitation because I have it too, getting the flu when pregnant can be deadly and getting the shot is the lesser of two evils. It's not a live virus and it definitely a good choice when pregnant IMO.

sugarrush · September 2013

Kakers, I work on a very large medical campus in administrative offices too. I am getting the flu shot (especially because its free to me) because I walk the hallways and reception areas where patients and the general public are. I also go to the cafeterias and restaurants on our campus where there always are doctors and patients walking around. You are at such a higher risk. Im all for "its your choice" but I feel like people in our environment need to be extra extra careful in making the decision whether to get one or not.

Jujubull · September 2013

In the uk they recommend u get the flu jab after the first trimester as when pregnant we have a low immune system and do we could get really poorly if we caught the flu x

Enami · September 2013

I would talk to your supervisor. If you feel strongly against getting it, you shouldn't be forced to. And don't get it just for your coworkers, you aren't responsible for other people's health. It's a risk every single person takes when they walk out their door.

Jmblue · September 2013

F that!

MelBee12 · September 2013

I'm an ICU nurse and this year my hospital also made it a requirement to get the flu vaccine (though ours are late and no one has gotten one yet lol).

Let me tell you...2009 was the WORST I have ever seen. Young women...pregnant women...DIED in our unit of the flu. There was a mom 9 weeks pregnant with twins...she lost the babies pretty quickly and was on life support for months. She eventually died.

The flu is NO JOKE people. Especially for those of us who are pregnant and more susceptible. I am not allowed to take flu patients being that I am pregnant....even with the vaccine.

edit// btw, I was pregnant that fall with Dylan...it was really really scary!! I got the flu shot then and every year since then - required or not!

sarahbeth27 · September 2013

Flu vaccinations are strongly recommended for pregnant women.

LittleLady77 · September 2013

My doctor gave me this long speech about why I should get the flu vaccine while pregnant (normally I skip them). I got one last week.

GoldenGibson · September 2013

ColleenSwerb said:
A mom from my last BMB had a son who has some serious developmental disabilities. Turns out, she had a high fever when she was pregnant (before she could have gotten the flu shot), that caused her DS to have a stroke in utero that affected the development of his brain during the rest of pregnancy.
Now obviously, that's not something that will happen to everyone. But the flu shot helps prevent getting the flu and the flu comes with a high fever, so I'll take it. No contest. And I'm not anywhere near a hospital setting on a daily basis.

I was going to tell this same exact story.

You can take a preservative free flu shot that is supposed to be better for pregnant women. I think you should probably do some in depth research before taking a firm stance.

Andrewsgal · September 2013

Can I ask why you are against it?

boxerbabylove · September 2013

It is just dangerous to work in a hospital and not get vaccinated, especially when pregnant. It doesn't matter if you don't interact with patients directly. You interact with others who do interact with patients. Vaccines are there to protect you as well as those people with weakened immune systems.

And I think it is shameful that people are telling you to lie about the reasoning behind not getting the flu shot. If you feel that strongly about it speak u, but don't throw religion out there, its just wrong.

MyNameWasTaken · September 2013

It is recommended that pregnant women get the vaccine. I would not lie about an exemption to get out of taking it (I know you didn't say you were going to, that's in response to other posters who suggested it). I'm not sure where your hesitancy stems from, but my suggestion is to talk to your care provider about it, and if you're still against it, talk to your supervisor. Given the work environment that you're in, it's really, really not a good idea to avoid the shot, though. Just because YOU do not have contact with sick people does not mean that others that you do have contact with don't.

mrsdchastain · September 2013

Flu vaccines are fine while pregnant.

SoulTermination · September 2013

I will absolutely NOT be getting a flu shot this year. The vaccines are now blended with the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, which has been shown in studies to cause a skyrocketing rate if miscarriages and stillbirths. I don't think it's worth it on the off chance I might come near the flu.

KatieGummow · September 2013

My nurse and doctor told me I should get the flu shot because it will be too hard on my body to keep the babies healthy and recover myself if I end up getting it. So, that is what I will be doing.

Has nothing to do with your situation, but I assume it is just as hard on bodies with one baby in the making... Good luck

BiggerinRealLife · September 2013

My doctor said I should get it, that it's the way to immunize the baby from the flu in the first six months of life. She said to get it from her though, as OBs have mercury free ones, or something like that.

nicole mackenzie · September 2013

Enami said:
I would talk to your supervisor. If you feel strongly against getting it, you shouldn't be forced to. And don't get it just for your coworkers, you aren't responsible for other people's health. It's a risk every single person takes when they walk out their door.

It's not for her coworkers benifit. She works in a medical building so yes she is responsible for others health.

Plus it's recommended for pregnant women.

SoulTermination · September 2013

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/study-confirms-anecdotal-link-between-flu-vax-and-miscarriage/

Serenla · September 2013

You are not supposed to take Advil

SoulTermination said:
I will absolutely NOT be getting a flu shot this year. The vaccines are now blended with the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, which has been shown in studies to cause a skyrocketing rate if miscarriages and stillbirths. I don't think it's worth it on the off chance I might come near the flu.

Yeeeeah we are going to need a link. This sounds a little conspiracy theorist to me.
Eta it also sounds like crap to me.

sugarrush · September 2013

Serenla said:

Yeeeeah we are going to need a link. This sounds a little conspiracy theorist to me.

im with you on this!

Andrewsgal · September 2013

SoulTermination said:
https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/study-confirms-anecdotal-link-between-flu-vax-and-miscarriage/

Lol... Oh wait you weren't joking were you? SMH

AcaAwkward · September 2013

SoulTermination said:
I will absolutely NOT be getting a flu shot this year. The vaccines are now blended with the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, which has been shown in studies to cause a skyrocketing rate if miscarriages and stillbirths. I don't think it's worth it on the off chance I might come near the flu.

I call bullshit on this unless you can link to a legit source. Plus, I am pretty sure you can get a flu vaccine that is not also an inoculation from H1N1... At least that's been the case for the last several years. That is the one I've received since the outbreak in 2009 as I had H1N1 that year and am now immune to it (H1N1is no fucking joke, BTW... I had a105 fever for 6 days and lost 15 lbs - I shudder to think what would have happened had I been pregnant then).

lilmama412 · September 2013

SoulTermination said:

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/study-confirms-anecdotal-link-between-flu-vax-and-miscarriage/

Even if this article was accurate, I don't think it is, 77.8 out of a million is only a .0000078% chance. Your odds are WAY greater of getting the flu!

Andrewsgal · September 2013

It is astonishing to me that grown adults use medical studies to defend their uneducated opinion when these studies are not valid. Please if you are going to use "science" be able to discern real science from the hype.

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