Thursday, September 30, 2010

Flu Shots

There has been a lot of controversy lately about flu shots, who should get them and if they should be mandatory for health care workers. I fall into the last category; I work at a hospital. While I don't often interact directly with patients, when I do, they are usually immuno-compromised individuals.

My hospital just started it's employee & volunteer flu shot campaign. They do one every year. Where I work (as is the case for most hospitals) a flu shot is not mandatory. It is elective for employees whether they get one or not. However, if you elect not to get the flu shot, you have to sign a waiver (less common among hospitals, from what I understand). Basically, all employees are required to either get a flu shot of sign a waiver. Those who sign the waiver do so with an understanding that if a breakout occurs, they may be asked to give up working hours or wear a mask to protect patients.

I think this is a good policy. It addresses the agency of each employee but also accounts for the health of patients in the event of a severe situation. Most hospitals have employee vaccination rates around 50%. My hospital system is around 80%. I know the critics out there will still be saying that employees without the vaccine are still caring for patients, which is true. But we also have a much higher rate of immunization.

Despite my fear of needles, I got my flu shot today. I will be getting them for my girls when they are available at their pediatrician's office. The CDC is saying there won't be a shortage of vaccine like there was last year. I haven't been a big believer in flu shots, but I think the benefit outweighs the risk.

4 comments:

  1. I don't usually get a flu shot, but I'm not opposed to them. Just lazy.

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  2. The kids and I will get one. Ever since I started teaching it's just something that seems to make sense. Kids (students) are germ bags!

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  3. Bug got hers last weekend, and Schmoopsie and I did, too. I don't claim to be a know it all about flu shots, but I can't imagine how awful I'd feel if my tiny one got seriously ill after I HADN'T taken advantage of immunizations.

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  4. It's also smart that this year they included the H1N1 vaccine IN the annual flu shot. Some people don't realize that the swine flu hits 20-30 yr olds the hardest!
    And, since taking microbiology 3 years ago...I'm definitely getting my flu shot...I already asked, and ours arrives next week!

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