If you have been a nurse as long as I have, you know how deadly the flu virus can be to certain segments of the population. The elderly, very young, and people with health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer are particularly at risk.  Fall is here and flu season is on everyone’s mind. The Centers for Disease Control continue to warn the public about the anticipated H1N1 flu virus hitting with a vengeance this year. Not only are hospitals beginning to ramp up their plans for record high census, they must consider the possibility of larger than normal sick time among employees due to seasonal and HINI flu.

I have always worked in acute care settings with the most critically ill and vulnerable. Each fall employee health nurses walk around offering free seasonal flu shots to employees. Some years I acquiesce and allow them to vaccinate me. Other years I refuse. You see I am rather undecided about my commitment to the cause. I know some people have very strong opinions about the safety and efficacy of vaccinations in general, and especially those given to children. As a clinician, I know there are adverse effects sometimes fatal reactions to medication. Taking any medication, especially the first couple of times, whether it is something for a headache, a vitamin or an antibiotic, it is a crap shoot.  You are gambling that you do not have an allergy to some ingredient in the concoction. Taking the medication is voluntary and a decision most of us make after considering the risks and benefits.  

The state hospital association in my state is considering requiring all healthcare workers receive H1N1 flu vaccinations this year. I understand why they think healthcare workers should be vaccinated. After all,  we care for the sick and vulnerable and shouldn’t place our patients at additional risk. If we get sick the population of those available to care for the weak will diminish. The state also cites strong evidence that the best voluntary vaccination compliance is 50-70%. So, they feel the need to make vaccinations mandatory. There is also data reporting about 70% of employees report to work with flu-like symptoms, and that patients cared for by unvaccinated people had higher death rates than those cared for by vaccinated staff members. All compelling arguments.  

Does a state agency have the right to demand I take the vaccination? I am torn; should I roll the dice and allow myself to be given both a seasonal and H1N1 vaccination or should I refuse citing individual rights and autonomy? What are you going to do?  Please leave a comment, and also be sure to take our nursing poll on this very subject right here on NurseConnect.com.