Flu being spread by doctors and nurses who refuse the shot: Do as we say not as we do

[Scattershoot]

Health workers have been blamed for putting vulnerable patients at risk and worsening the winter’s flu outbreak by refusing to have flu jabs

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5818448.ece

More from the article:

However, a study of NHS attitudes conducted by the Government last year found that most staff did not view flu as a serious illness and thought the vaccine unnecessary because they were not at risk.

Do as we say, not as we do. So they are more than willing to shoot all kinds of stuff into little babies, but God forbid they should take just one shot themselves.

I wonder how many doctors and nurses have gotten their:

2 chicken pox shots
2 MMR shots
Hep A shots (because anyone can get it)
Hep B shots
Shingles shot (for the seasoned professionals)
DaPT shot and tetanus booster every 10 years
3 HPV shots
Pneumococcal shots (again for the seasoned vets)
Meningococcal shots (since anyone could have been exposed)

It wasn’t all that long ago that doctors and nurses were supposed to line up for the smallpox shot to protect us from terrorists. The way they ran from that shot makes me wonder how much they want to protect us from the bad guys.

Again, for those who preach herd immunity, maybe the little babies sleeping in their cribs aren’t the ones we should fear the most. Of course, since they cannot stand up for themselves it makes them easy targets.

[brendaziz]

This kind of thing makes me sick.

My kids are looked at like lepers for not being vaccinated but I know that doctors and nurses spread diseases every bit as much as children do.

I want to go on a rant- but i won't :-)

seriously though- its sad how many docs/nurses don't practice what they preach

[rabrog]

And let's not mention that the dumb flu vax has been the wrong strain for the last...what? Five years? So even if the "responsible" healthcare workers have gotten it they can still be passing it around. Don't blame it on those that refuse the silly thing unless you're sure the correct strain has been used.

Jenn

[Paracelsus]

It is called "Kool-Aid" induced intellectual superiority syndrome.

[biochick]

My former supervisor is a former vaccine researcher. He is extremely pro vac but anti flu vax. I always thought that was interesting.

[Scattershoot]

Don't blame it on those that refuse the silly thing unless you're sure the correct strain has been used.

The thing is, they don't usually figure that out til after the fact, so the side to err on would be vaxing, especially if they are in a field that believes in vaccination. I think it shows a callousness and hypocrisy to not do so. How can one preach one thing and do another? I wonder how up to date the workers in the industry are for MMR and DaPT?

I agree that the flu shot is pretty useless, but then again I think vaccination in general is useless, so I'm biased. I would expect something different from those who track parents down for vaccination and make non-vaxers out to be the society-hating, disease spreaders.

[eireann]

giving them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they aren't pro vax drs and nurses, but rather more forward thinking...? here's hoping.

[JBaxter]

The 3 nurses in my family ( mom, brother and sister) NONE get flu shots they will tell you they dont work and arnt worth it. My brother has also followed a delayed vaccine schedule with his daugher who is almost 4 and still hasnt gotten her MMR.
My mom who just retired from the ER never took a flu shot and actully is fairly anti vax since learning what was in them.

Dont assume just because their a nurse that they automaticly give/get flu vaccines ( my mom would even refuse to give them to co workers)

FYI I dont think any of them have had the "flu" in recent years

[roxyrox]

To be fair this article is from the UK where most children aren't offered flu shots. Actually most adults aren't offered flu shots here either. The only people offered them are healthcare workers and other high risk groups. I don't think most nurses/doctors would be in favour of universal flu vaccination for children.

[MamatoPeach]

I am a nurse that refuses shots and refuses to give shots.

[Scattershoot]

Originally Posted by MamatoPeach

I am a nurse that refuses shots and refuses to give shots.

I have the utmost respect for you. To challenge something like that within your own profession takes guts. Do you talk to parents about vaccine dangers? How do the doctors respond to you?

[MamatoPeach]

Originally Posted by Scattershoot

I have the utmost respect for you. To challenge something like that within your own profession takes guts. Do you talk to parents about vaccine dangers? How do the doctors respond to you?

Well since I work in the hospital, vaccinations are not given very often(fortunately since the kids there are sick). When it does come up, I try to tell it like it is to parents. I try to tell them there are risk to vaccinations, and I ask them if they have educated themselves on it. I normally print off information about the risk/benefits, hand them the info, tell them to research, and when they come to a decision they can let us know. I try to give them confidence to stand up to their pediatricians if they want to delay. Its hard, I am always looking behind my shoulder because I work in a culture where no one is taught to go against vaccinations. I have heard doctors tell parents with a sick premie that they should still get him vaccinated because it would be 'good for him', like 'a vitamin is good for him' That really bothered me for some reason. They have absolutely no education on the risks. MD's are brainwashed on the subject.

I just try to empower parents autonomy against the big dogs. Most parents are scared to vaccinate.

[MamatoPeach]

In my short 5 years of being a nurse I have seen many mistakes with vaccination administration also. Live viruses given when they should have been. Pharmacy sending wrong vials. Its awful, people just don't understand how risky it is.

Very little education is given to nurses, and doctors for that matter.

God Help me if they decide to make vaccinations mandatory to hospital staff. I would have to find a new job.

[mesdtudentmom]

I get mine because I truly care about my patients

Even after being involved in treatment of a patient who contracted guillain barre likely secondary to her flu vaccine, I get my flu shot annually. I see it as professional and ethical responsibility and want to do all I can to protect the immunosuppressed patients I care for. I’m young and healthy but I don't want to be a vector for something that could seriously maim my patients. The tiny tots and frail elderly are just too vulnerable.

[nwmamas]

Thanks, Mamatopeach. I also have the utmost respect for you. As a mama, I would not want my sick kids in anyone else's ward!

[BugMacGee]

Another nurse who doesn't get flu vax. One of several in my unit. Nobody really bats an eye about it.

[LilacMama]

I'm a nurse and I've never once encouraged someone to get a vaccine.

[k9sarchik]

Dr.'s know that it is ineffective.

http://www.*********/a/morris.html

[Th1Th2]

Originally Posted by LilacMama

I'm a nurse and I've never once encouraged someone to get a vaccine.

But you do vaccinate, don't you?

[hxcmama]

My mom was a RN for 15 years, always got the flu shot even when she was in cancer treatment. She had terrible complications from her last flu shot, went to the hospital for that reaction and never went home. Right to the end she supported the vaccines, nothing could dissuade her. I can't blame a health professional who refuses vaccines, I imagine they see the reactions and put two and two together.