If your profession suddenly required you to vaccinate others, would that bother you?

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

My biggest problem is, I feel as though I am violating my ethics, beliefs, and values. I do not want to harm people! I know they'd probably get them elsewhere, but still.... dispensing medications I am skeptical seems different than administering it directly. When I got into pharmacy, me sticking needles into people wasn't even an option! I didn't go to school for nursing, or med school, I didnt want any parts of that!

I know there's nurses, doctors, and others here.. somewhere right?

Anyways.. I have this dilema.. suddenly. I've been a pharmacist for over 10 years. My view of pharmacueticals has become more and more skeptical over the years. I know this profession has become more of a burden for me than a joy of serving people, but still I stuck with it.

Suddenly, my corporation is mandating pharmacists all become certified to vaccinate. Yes, they will pay for the cert training, which they never have before, but they never mandated it before. Generous of them, they believe.

However, they will not compensate us in any other way for this additional job requirement. Not per shot, no pay raise, nothing! They will make $20 for each injection we do, but they are not going to share that with us. Perhaps a larger bonus... last year I got less than $200 as a bonus.

That is all disturbing, BUT the bigger problem is this: I am not comfortable injecting a substance into people I am so skeptical of. I know I cannot vaccinate people under 18, so that is good.. but still. I do not get flu shots or recommend them to family or friends. I feel like I am compromising my values and principles.

I believe it is a Conscientious Objection. Like dispensing Plan B. I'm afraid to even mention it though... I'll be labeled the dissenter, which will make me a target.

If we do not comply and vaccinate, we will be likely terminated, per my boss. However, if I were terminated for having a Conscientious Objection that would be discrimination and I'd have a case against them.

I mentioned this to one of my collegues and he said, "A pharmacist who doesn't believe in vaccines in this day and age is just crazy! What are you? a Scientologist or a 7th Day Adventist?! You best be riding this horse the way its going."

I used to think someday vaccinations would be an antiquity, like bleeding people or drilling holes in your head.

All this has made me requestion my vaccination beliefs. I haven't looked into it since 2002-2004. I hear someone in Texas falsified autism-vaccination data or something? Who was that?

I just don't know what to believe anymore. I am upset, angry, everything! How can they violate my professional autonomy like this?! How can they disrespect me and force me to do this?! Yes, I suppose a private company can do whatever it wants and I am free to leave. However, as my boss pointed out, "All the other chain pharmacies are not even hiring pharmacists without certs, so this is what we do to stay competitive."



btw I can't just quit working. My dh is a SAHD and I am our only source of income and I have too much debt in our house/property to get out. Its iffy if I could turn a profit.

If you read all that.. you're my hero. I know barely anyone will probably relate much to this unique situation... I am a freak

[claddaghmom]

I'm so sorry you're in that position. This is an example of why I've been putting off med school and not looking forward to additional clinicals and cert. in my field. I know I could never do it.

I've always said that the medical industry is a self-correcting organization. If you don't agree, you get chucked out, so that everyone is unified in their beliefs and behaviors. Reminds me of the military.

That's not to say I don't recommend fighting to the end for your rights. If you do it strongly and clearly, they might back off and allow you to avoid it.

[Arduinna]

Can you seek employment at another pharmacy not owned by your current company? Perhaps an independently owned one?

[amnesiac]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...70&postcount=5

[stacey05]

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this!! I tried to put myself in your position and the only positive thing I could think about this is that all the people will be over 18! I know you still hate to do it and maybe you could look for a job elsewhere where they don't make you do this. I was just thinking about how I would feel and I know there would be no way I could vaccinate babies or children with my beliefs. I might feel better, though, knowing they are all over 18 and adults and have made this decision themselves. And, like you said, they will go somewhere else if you didn't give it to them. It is a crappy deal, but I am just saying what make me feel better if I had to stay with my job. I could not stay with it if it was minors, even though they (the parents) would go somewhere else too. We are adopting and I am so surprised at all these families on my yahoo group who go and get 6 or 7 vaccines at once for travelling overseas! They don't think a thing about it and even when we have discussions they all feel they are doing the right thing for them. So, hey, we all have a free will and they know (or should know) the risks and if they choose to take them that is fine. Just like non vaxers should know the risks and have the right to deny vaccines if they want. I hope this helps some and please update us on what you decide to do!

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

Originally Posted by amnesiac

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...70&postcount=5

Thanks for that. The problem is, I didn't know I'd ever be asked to do this! Immunizing pharmacists wasn't even a thought in 1993. I could I have ever known?

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

Thank you for your support ladies. I started to think I was crazy

I'm just so sick of the controversy all the time in everything. Why can't I just be the happy, politically correct sheeple? Yea, that could never ever happen...

[Emmeline II]

I'm not for vaccines, but the only force involved here is on you. The customers that come in for the shots are adults who are making their own decision. I'd just make sure they get the vaccine information they are entitled to by law.

[xmasbaby7]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

I'm not for vaccines, but the only force involved here is on you. The customers that come in for the shots are adults who are making their own decision. I'd just make sure they get the vaccine information they are entitled to by law.

I agree. I think you will feel good every time you give someone the option of truly informed consent and they back out, and if people roll up their sleeve thinking they are doing a good deed or something, they are taking that risk upon themselves.

As with anything else in life, we are ultimately only responsible for ourselves and our family.

As for your vaccine beliefs, please stick around here a while. You will get lots of information to thin about.

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

Good point you two. That does make me feel better... as long as I am not doing any promotting, just providing the service, that makes a big difference. I never thought of it in that exact way.

[Annie Mac]

There may be some sort of objector clause you can use. When I first got pregnant, I was living in Asheville NC. The H1N1 vaccine had come out and of course, my OB there recommended I get one. I wasn't going to do that, but there was a lot of stuff in the newspaper about it. I remember reading an article saying that although the vaccine was made and ready to go, there were not enough people to administer it. Some doctors were willing to do so in their office, but for the most part, they were being sent down to the pharmacy. However, many pharmacists in that area were refusing to administer it, especially on pregnant women. I don't remember if it was a money issue, a morals issue, or what, but they were refusing on some grounds to do it. Granted, Asheville is a pretty crunchy area, but NC in general is very conservative, with very conservative state laws.

[EFmom]

Personally, I think the decision whether or not to vax should be up to the individual.

I also think that if one chooses to enter a profession, one should be prepared to carry out the work that profession entails.

[*~*SewHappyNow*~*]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I also think that if one chooses to enter a profession, one should be prepared to carry out the work that profession entails.

How do you prepare for something that isn't a possibility when you began?

[serenbat]

about just NO?

In many states if you do not want to give out a certain prescription they let the pharmacist say no and not give it out (plan B, etc)- why is this not the same? Have you asked if you did have a religious objection, would they honor you not doing so? What is the company's official policy?

[Arduinna]

I can't even imagine vaxing someone, I don't even care if they show up requesting it. I still couldn't do it. To be honest I don't think I could pass the training, as a result of my feelings. What about getting a job at a hospital pharmacy? I've never heard of them giving vaxes.

[emma1325]

OP,

What if...

You were to go to your training, and at some untimely moment...just get ill and faint? lol

Then tell your Employer that you don't think you can do it because the sight of needles makes you physically ill.

Just a suggestion...maybe a dumb one, but I don't know what else to tell you! If you try to claim religious or philosophical exemption, you may ultimately lose your job over it!

If it bothers you so much and you can't seem to get out of it...maybe look for a new profession? Perhaps holistic health, or nutrition?

[miriam]

You can ask to have titres drawn to prove immunity, although that is not always reliable.

It is against the beliefs of the Christian Science religion to accept vaccinations, although I know of some Christian Scientists who are bullied into vaccinating anyway.

[november]

Oh man, I have no advice, but didn't want to read and not respond. You are in a tough, tough spot. If it was the difference between paying the bills or not, I'd do it. Reluctantly, but I'd do it. Especially since it's not going to be to minors who can't make the decision for themselves -- these are consenting adults. That's the kicker for me. I'm anti-vax and wouldn't want to do it, but I wouldn't risk my job for it.