Counselling at work since I refused the flu shot..

[cadejaxellamom]

It makes me so mad. I work in a hospital, I am an x-ray tech, so yes, I am around patients and often before they know what is wrong with them (in the ER) but I have researched and am comfortable with my decision. I have worked there for almost 9 years and have never gotten the flu shot (nor have I gotten the flu). There is nothing they can say to "talk me into it", and it irritates me that I have to have my husband get off work early today to watch the kids so I can go in for a 30 min counsellig session

[Magali]

Wow. Stick to your guns! What a drag having to go to counselling about this.

[mysticmomma]

i'd listen, but only respond with. "I'm comfortable with my decision and do not wish to discuss this, thank you for the info."

[jessjgh1]

Or, how about... "I don't feel I'm at high risk. I think it is unethical for me to take the flu shot when the vaccine is not readily available and there are many others that are more at risk than I would be."
Good luck

[SuburbanHippie]

Wow! Good luck! I would be livid (and probably wouldn't be able to bite my tongue!).

[bbrandonsmom]

Wow, after 9 years, sheesh.

[xmasbaby7]

I would be fuming, too, but remember that the counselor probably didn't set this policy.

I would try and remember compassion, not anger, for this poor soul who lives in great fear of disease to think you are endangering yourself.

I would calmly, firmly say, "I really appreciate your time with me, but I am making a fully informed decision for my own health, but thank you."

[newmum35]

turn the tables on them and bring a lot of research with you on why you feel the vaccine is not something you want to be part of your body.. Instead of them trying to educate you, do the opposite. They will be irked, time will pass by faster, and who knows maybe you will help to educate someone else or start them on their path..

[momtoS]

When I worked at the hospital and there was a flu outbreak....early 2004...I refused the flu shot and I was not allowed to report to work...or get paid. For a month. Yup. It sucked.

[Mommyintraining2]

So...how did it go?

[BeckyBird]

So you're in counseling because you are obviously insane, right? Because the shots are sooooo safe, why would any "normal" person doubt them? There must be something wrong with you!!! (*sarcasm*)

This makes me so mad too. You have the right to decide what goes into YOUR own body. Vaccines are NOT the safe harmless miracle they are portrayed to be. There are side effects to them, that is undeniable. It is such a terrible shame that you are being forced to go into counseling because of this. But at least you are not getting the shot, and whatever it takes to avoid it is better than being forced to do something you don't believe in!

[bbrandonsmom]

Hi, how'd it go?

[ParisApril]

Originally Posted by bbrandonsmom

Hi, how'd it go?

Did it go anything like this?

[nataliachick7]

Originally Posted by newmum35

turn the tables on them and bring a lot of research with you on why you feel the vaccine is not something you want to be part of your body.. Instead of them trying to educate you, do the opposite. They will be irked, time will pass by faster, and who knows maybe you will help to educate someone else or start them on their path..

this is what i would do.

[cadejaxellamom]

It was much better than I thought, there were about 7 of us and the infectious disease doc gave us a 30 min power point presentation about the history of the flu and H1N1, there were some scare tactics involved, but I just sat trying not to roll my eyes too much and just listened. He opened the floor for discussion and there was a lady in there that I could have hugged, she brought her knowledge with her and challenged him on many of the points he brought up, I loved watching him squirm while trying to answer her questions! So, I guess I will have to go to that every year now until the state makes it mandatory for healthcare workers to get vaccinated....then it will be time to find a new career

Oh, one point he brought up, he said that if pregnant woment get the shot that the unborn child will be protected as well, like get immunity from the shot. I didn't think that if a mom got a vaccine the baby was protected too, was I thinking wrong???

[bbrandonsmom]

Oh, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to see them trying to refute your coworkers information

The only reason I can find for them to say preg women should get a flu vax is so they don't catch the flu, and pass it on to thier nb.
But, the flu inserts state there has been no research on the effect to the developing fetus. There were too many threads on pregnancy + flu shot here on MDC to list, so if you search it, you'll find some w/ the package inserts etc.