Employer is requiring me to get DTaP vaccine

[lactationlady]

I'm really not sure what to do here. I am a lactation consultant and I work one day per week at a local hospital. The hospital is now requiring that anyone who comes into contact with infants receive the DTaP vaccine. My choice is to receive the vaccine or not work with infants. The only exceptions are for people who have had a tetnus vaccine within 2 years, people that have had GBS or who have a documented allergy to one of the vaccine components. On the one hand, it would be nice to say "Fine. I quit" but that is tough for our lactation program. We have worked long and hard to get one in place and if I quit, while it wouldn't end the program, it would leave us with no breastfeeding coverage for 2-3 days each week (my one day, then we don't always have someone who can cover Saturdays and they don't allow us to have Sundays because they don't want to pay for 7 days/week coverage.) I worry about all of the women who will have no assistance with breastfeeding and I feel like I have to choose to eaither get the vaccine, which I don't feel comfortable with, or "abandon" these women who will likely get no other assistance with breastfeeding.

Has anyone else ever faced a situation like this?

Oh, to complicate things, I have an autoimmune disease and autoimmune disease is common in my family. I have heard of a link between AI disease and vaccines. Anyone know anything about this?

[Treece]

I have no advice, but read the insert for TDaP (that's the one for adults I think) to see if you are advised not to, or read VAERS and the CDC website. (I guess I have some advise )

[tanyalynn]

Have you specifically asked about people with religious objections? Maybe a nurse, for example, could be assigned work not dealing with infants, but it's a requirement for a lactation consultant, so in this job category, it seems like it would be religious discrimination.

[2boyzmama]

I don't suppose you could try convincing them that vaccination does not prevent transmission? (which is true, but I'm guessing they won't care or won't listen)

Are you still nursing Rebekkah? A friend of mine here volunteers for the Red Cross, and she's been able to get out of all the "required" vaccines by telling them she's breastfeeding.

Are you *sure* you haven't had a tetanus vax in the last two years?

[Pariah]

I would look into the nursing thing that 2boyzmama mentioned, or see in the package insert if autoimmune diseases are mentioned as a qualifier for not getting that vax. Good luck!

[Ruthla]

I wouldn't try arguing science with them- you're unlikely to "win" and then that will weaken your exemption case, especially if you try for a religious exemption.

See if you can get a doctor to get you a medical exemption that the hospital will accept, even if it's a bit of a stretch (concerns about vax reactions with your family medical history vs specific allergy to a vaccine component.)

[melvis]

Could you have your doctor write an exemption based on your autoimmune disease??? I would bet he/she would- at least it is worth a shot (no pun intended) !!

[alegna]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Have you specifically asked about people with religious objections?

This. As long as they can not discriminate based on religion, then they can't force it. Simply say that vaccination is against your religious beliefs.

-Angela

[momofmine]

Not to sidetrack, but why is there an exception for people who have had GBS? Just curious what the link is there.

I can see how they might not accept a religious exemption in this case, saying that, well, this is our rule because it "protects" the baby. Just the same way they can't make you vax to go to public school, yet they can make you not attend during an "outbreak" of something.

However, if I were in your shoes, I would NOT get the vax. With the issues of having an autoimmune disease already, there is no way I would do it, job or no job. I hear you that you are highly invested in it, but I would probably try to start something on my own, like a women's health network and offer breastfeeding help independently, maybe work with a childbirth educator, and a doula, and group your services together to help with advertising, etc. I know of two lactation consultants who work independently. Not saying it's easy, but it would be my choice over putting something dangerous into my body.

[tanyalynn]

I think this GBS is Guillen-Barre Syndrome, not Group B strep, which is what my first thought was.

[bobandjess99]

Hmm..homestly, i could *not* justify the potential risk of getting the shot just to help other mothers. It sounds awful, but the way i look at it, i'm risking MY children losing their mother to a vax reaction (I actually reacted badly to the DPT as an infant and it is recordedr on my vax record from eons ago..) and that is simply an unacceptable risk to me. I would probably go to a doctor (privately)and see if they will sign off on a medical exemption, if not, I woudl hit them with a religious exemption...if they fight and seem like they aren't going to let it go..i'd have to quit.

[momofmine]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

I think this GBS is Guillen-Barre Syndrome, not Group B strep, which is what my first thought was.

Aaah, okay, yes, I was thinking that too, but that makes much more sense! Thanks!

[Emmeline II]

I would go with a religious exemption; there is one in the first link of my siggy.
It is more difficult to impose this on an employee than a potential hire.

[cadejaxellamom]

I might be in the same position and that is why I have not gone for my yearly health screening in employee health! I am an x-ray tech and have worked at my hospital for almost 8 years. I am around pretty much ALL age groups from NICU babies to the elderly. I know I have heard of several of my co-workers who have mentioned that they received that booster at this last health screening. I am breastfeeding right now and plan on it for at least another year (my daughter will be 1 in 2 weeks) so that is my excuse right now, but I'm worried for in the future oh, and this was the first year that I have to sign a waiver and give a reason for NOT getting the flu shot

[Gitti]

A religious exemption is your only choice imo. And that is what I would do.