Forced to get Flu Shot - How can I decline?

So things are starting to get VERY anal in the medical community. Between this new type of TB test that's 2 series and requires 4 doctor visits, and Varicella BS (I always thought it was a right of passage as a kid and you don't need to give me that whole .00000whatever% kids die from it each yeah from chicken pox). Anyways I'm willing to go through it all which I have (quite a long list), but I WILL NOT get vaccinated for a seasonal flu shot. It is against my moral and ethical beliefs as a human being so can I make it a First Amendment stance? I'll let them poke and prod me as much as they want but I'm not going to get a shot for last seasons flu. Can anybody here help me or tell me what to say to my superior to respectfully decline but still stay on her good side? Much appreciated.

Say no? Don't go?


I always love flu season, the people around me are coughing and spluttering and they say they got vaccinated. I don't, then they claim oh it was a different strain of flu they have. I then tell them they got the wrong vaccine then, I get deadly stares back.

Always fun to joke about around the dinner table really.

originally posted by: Swing80s
So things are starting to get VERY anal in the medical community. Between this new type of TB test that's 2 series and requires 4 doctor visits, and Varicella BS (I always thought it was a right of passage as a kid and you don't need to give me that whole .00000whatever% kids die from it each yeah from chicken pox). Anyways I'm willing to go through it all which I have (quite a long list), but I WILL NOT get vaccinated for a seasonal flu shot. It is against my moral and ethical beliefs as a human being so can I make it a First Amendment stance? I'll let them poke and prod me as much as they want but I'm not going to get a shot for last seasons flu. Can anybody here help me or tell me what to say to my superior to respectfully decline but still stay on her good side? Much appreciated.

I'd think the only thing that would even possibly let you off the hook is something to do with religion.

That seems to be the key here in the united states.

Otherwise you are probably SOL and the only option would be to quit.

originally posted by: MisterSpock

originally posted by: Swing80s
So things are starting to get VERY anal in the medical community. Between this new type of TB test that's 2 series and requires 4 doctor visits, and Varicella BS (I always thought it was a right of passage as a kid and you don't need to give me that whole .00000whatever% kids die from it each yeah from chicken pox). Anyways I'm willing to go through it all which I have (quite a long list), but I WILL NOT get vaccinated for a seasonal flu shot. It is against my moral and ethical beliefs as a human being so can I make it a First Amendment stance? I'll let them poke and prod me as much as they want but I'm not going to get a shot for last seasons flu. Can anybody here help me or tell me what to say to my superior to respectfully decline but still stay on her good side? Much appreciated.

I'd think the only thing that would even possibly let you off the hook is something to do with religion.

That seems to be the key here in the united states.

Otherwise you are probably SOL and the only option would be to quit.

Grow a beard, anyway, isn't America the land of the free and all that people there are claiming we're jealous of your way of life and rights and so forth?

Frankly; I stay very clear of America. I keep my money at home, I don't do business trips there, I don't do holidays there. I would probably get shot or jabbed.

I use egg allergies. The virus is made in eggs therefore it can be considered an egg product.

originally posted by: Iamthatbish
I use egg allergies. The virus is made in eggs therefore it can be considered an egg product.

www.cdc.gov...

"Flublok does not use the influenza virus or chicken eggs in its manufacturing process. See How Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Are Made for more information."

You are so out of luck now

The fact you have to find "excuses" says a lot about your freedoms in your land of the free.

Hope you don't go around proclaiming your freedoms and our jealous of them.

I have never been "forced" to take any vaccine in my country. Why is it like that there?

Even here you need "parental consent" forms to sign before you get your kids vaccinated in schools. Most parents are thick anyway and just sign.

originally posted by: Swing80s
So things are starting to get VERY anal in the medical community. Between this new type of TB test that's 2 series and requires 4 doctor visits, and Varicella BS (I always thought it was a right of passage as a kid and you don't need to give me that whole .00000whatever% kids die from it each yeah from chicken pox). Anyways I'm willing to go through it all which I have (quite a long list), but I WILL NOT get vaccinated for a seasonal flu shot. It is against my moral and ethical beliefs as a human being so can I make it a First Amendment stance? I'll let them poke and prod me as much as they want but I'm not going to get a shot for last seasons flu. Can anybody here help me or tell me what to say to my superior to respectfully decline but still stay on her good side? Much appreciated.

For last season's flu? And if I remember correctly, wasn't last season's flu vaccine a huge "miss"?

Uh...maybe you could tell "her" that you'll get next season's bogus flu shot in time for next season's flu season but that since last season's flu outbreak is over, you've already proven immune to it.

How did you dodge the problem in the fall?
Have you considered another profession?

They are part of working in the medical world. You better come to that conclusion.
That and you can't smoke in your car on the hospital campus.
May I ask what moral objection you have to vaccine?

Isn't there a bunch of doctors around that will happily sign forms confirming you've been vaccinated for a small fee?

Isn't that a capitalist country?

a reply to: Swing80s

If you allow them to vaccinate you against your better judgment

than you are failing yourself

have some principles,

think, find a way around it

Who's is forcing you?

If it's because you work in a hospital, then it is right and proper because those who are most vulnerable to flu are those who are already sick. If you feel so strongly that modern medicine should be avoided at all costs, then switch jobs.

a reply to: Swing80s

I am on strong iimmunosuppressive medications due to SAPHO syndrome. I go to the specialist once a month. Every month, I come back with a cold, flu, etc....because people do not concern themselves with vaccinations. However, I support everyone's right to not inoculate. It is not their faults I have a chronic underlying medical condition that forces me to go into the doc's office monthly.

My wife is also in this predicament. She doesn't want the shot, but has no choice. It's either take it, or find a new job and while RNs can find work anywhere, she knows it's common practice and would face the same problem where ever she goes. She has told me that many feel the same way, but fear losing their jobs. I honestly think that if one person would stand up and make a fuss, others would quickly jump on the band wagon and maybe,maybe force hospitals to change their policy. It makes no sense to get a shot for one strain, when there may be 4 wafting around. In a hospital, it's almost impossible not to be exposed to may different strains of cold and flu.. You're dealing with dozens of people, right off the street, every day and they may be carrying who knows what. To get one shot for one strain, makes no sense, costs the hospital money and infringes on your right to decide what goes in your body. I hope you stand up to them, but when a job is on the line............

Wow, the country in which you live is beyond fixing.

You are forced to have an injection for THE FLU!?!?!?!

They have them in England, of course, I just find it bizarre that you cannot say 'No!'

And if the anti vaxers say anything - then erm, well, .,..... this is just the freakin' flu!

Just don't go, ever and see how far they take it.

originally posted by: DAVID64
My wife is also in this predicament. She doesn't want the shot, but has no choice. It's either take it, or find a new job and while RNs can find work anywhere, she knows it's common practice and would face the same problem where ever she goes. She has told me that many feel the same way, but fear losing their jobs. I honestly think that if one person would stand up and make a fuss, others would quickly jump on the band wagon and maybe,maybe force hospitals to change their policy. It makes no sense to get a shot for one strain, when there may be 4 wafting around. In a hospital, it's almost impossible not to be exposed to may different strains of cold and flu.. You're dealing with dozens of people, right off the street, every day and they may be carrying who knows what. To get one shot for one strain, makes no sense, costs the hospital money and infringes on your right to decide what goes in your body. I hope you stand up to them, but when a job is on the line............

And she doesn't know any doctors that will sign off on having the vaccine?

I find that hard to believe that there is not any doctors that would on the quiet.

Any in the family that could sign off on it?

Get the unions involved?

a reply to: paraphi

Then all of their relatives, sons , daughters, Moms and Dads should stay home and not visit. No Visitors At All. They hug and kiss family members dripping mucus and sneezing every where, but force the care takers to get shots? If folks are so worried about what the employees are exposing them to, then they should have to get vaccinated while they are there.

Best thing any employee can do if they get the flu, STAY AT HOME/WORK FROM HOME.

It really annoys me at work when I am surrounded by people coughing and spluttering, then they come in and say "oh i feel great now, I god rid of it", then 10 other people come in spluttering.

a reply to: Swing80s

Simple.

State that you will develop an upper respiratory infection if you get the vaccine, that infection will develop into pneumonia, you will miss weeks of work and end up being hospitalized. You then state that you are willing to get chest x-rays before the vaccine and after to illustrate your point.
State also your objection will be documented and time stamped prior to the vaccine.

They will leave you alone.

(trust me, it works!)

Isn't it weird that you can kill an unborn child in this country because it is 'your body, your choice', but when it comes to these vaccines your choices are taken away from you? It is BS and you should fight this any way you can if you feel strongly about not getting this shot.

If you work in a medical profession, and it's part of your conditions of employment, then it is required. That simple.

If you had a problem with vaccines of any kind, you have no business working in the medical field, as vaccinations are (in the vast majority of cases) a REQUIREMENT to remain employed in the field.