Help, please! I want to know what my rights are in this situation.I have recently begun nannying for a wonderful family. I take care of their baby. They told me that their child's doctor suggested I get a flu shot, at least the traditional vaccine if not both that and the H1N1 vaccine. My response was basically, "Oh, I see." - I was caught off guard. But the problem is, I am ZERO percent comfortable in having this done. While I know many people take this vaccine, I just am not comfortable with it for various reasons that I won't go into because I don't want to start a flu shot discussion. What I want to know is what my rights are - they can't possibly MAKE me, right?
I wash my hands frequently, take my vitamins, eat well, get my rest - I'm so far very healthy. I don't feel like they should require me to put something inside my body that I do not want or approve of.
HELP!
66 comments:
nobody can force you to get a flu shot, that said, as a household employee, I also don't think you could sue for 'wrongful termination' if they terminate your employment because of it. It's a crappy situation to be in, and probably one that should have been discussed up front before you took the job.
I'm guessing that the baby is under six months, and therefore too young to be immunized. In that case, peds. usually recommend that everyone who cares for him get the vacs. Influenza, and especially H1M1 can be very serious, even fatal for infants. It is good that you are healthy and take care of yourself, but that in no guarantee that you won't get the flu, and you could infect the baby before you become symptomatic.
I hope you will reconsider, or at least discuss your situation with the parents. Of course they can't force you to get the vaccinations, but they may not want you to continue caring for their baby if you don't.
I am in the EXACT SAME SITUATION. Professional, full-time nanny to a vaccinated 7.5 month old. Heavy pressure to get the H1N1 and flu shots.
I LOVE that these people think they have the right to tell me I must get these vaccinations. Funny, they promised: insurance benefits, to report taxes and to pay overtime when they hired me. And those things all went where?! Don' ask ANYTHING extra of your nanny if you lied to get her to work for you! So audacious!
The parents' number one concern in the well-being of their child. I don't think it's fair to make it seem like they are being controlling and trying to make you do something you're not comfortable with. They are following the advice of their doctor and I'm guessing that most people would not mind getting the flu shot when they are taking care of a baby. Babies are very susceptible to the flu, and, as Manhattan Nanny said, it doesn't really matter how much you wash your hands and take vitamins, there's still a bigger chance that you could pass the flu on to the baby than if you got vaccinated. No one can force you to get a flu shot, but you can't expect these people to put your discomfort before their child's safety. They wouldn't be good parents if they did. Be prepared to be let go if you tell them you won't get the vaccine.
I am against early vaccines. None of my kids has ever had the flu shot til this year. I had never had one either. But my 2 yr old is a transplant patient and can't risk getting sick because of immunity reasons, so I bucked up and we all got the flu and the H1N1 vaccine. My two year old also had a flu shot last year even though my other kids didn't, needless to say, he was the only one who didn't get sick, while my other two kids and I were sick at least 8 times. So far so good this year.
They can't force you to do anything but this is their child and they can let you go if you don't do as they ask. There are plenty of jobs out there where it is mandatory to get the flu shot. I would sit down and talk with them. Let them know how you feel and see how strongly they feel about it.
Anonymous said...
I am in the EXACT SAME SITUATION. Professional, full-time nanny to a vaccinated 7.5 month old. Heavy pressure to get the H1N1 and flu shots.
I LOVE that these people think they have the right to tell me I must get these vaccinations. Funny, they promised: insurance benefits, to report taxes and to pay overtime when they hired me. And those things all went where?! Don' ask ANYTHING extra of your nanny if you lied to get her to work for you! So audacious!
Dec 11, 2009 6:46:00 PM
You have the right to refuse to get the flu shot(s) and then they have the right to let you go for refusing.
Employer's choice here trumps yours. It stinks, but life isn't fair.
Employees have no rights or power in this country. No shot, no job. Count on it.
To the poster who said the employers changed the rules, call them on it. People treat you as you let them. You should have mentioned it immediately.
As an adult, I don't believe anyone can legally FORCE you to get a flu shot anymore than they can force a raving homeless drug-addicted lunatic to take meds and sleep in a shelter if they have not acually harmed anyone.
However, if I were an employer of a brand new nanny who refused (for no RATIONAL reason?) to get a flu shot while caring for my 7 month old infant, I'd take a look at the insane levels of unemployment and start interviewing again.
Sorry, but this isn't about your personal comfort levels, it's about the well-being of a tiny susceptible infgant that you were hired to protect. Influena virus can be fatal even in this day and age.
Sorry, you didn't mention the age of the baby. I was getting mixed up by the other nanny poster who cares for the 7 1/2 month old.
I am 100% with the parents on this one. Just because YOU are healthy doesn't mean you might not transmit the virus to the baby. Or to anyone else for that matter. I know you didn't want to start a flu shot debate but it is completely beyond me why someone wouldn't get their shot. What are you so freaking concerned about?
That's lame if they fire you over it. I don't vaccinate either and it's insane how many people keep pushing me to do it even when I tell them point blank "I.do.not.vaccinate"
Stick to your guns but remember it's also their right to let you go if they feel it's that important to have it done.
Good Luck!
Like others have said, you have every right to refuse the vaccine, and they have every right to let you go because of it. As a parent their child's health and safety come first and that means having care givers vaccinated. Do you get other vaccines? If not, did you disclose this?
My son is going to be forced to get the flu shot this year. Last year I avoided it. Because by the time he started school and my delaying everything. It was too late. But they sent home notes in I believe October. That by the beginning of January. We have to bring in proof from the doctor that our child had the flu shot. All kids in NJ pre-k and under are required. Stinks!!
opps that was my last post under Annon. Didn't mean to post it without my Name
OH MY GOD!!! . to all of you are insulting the OP, calling her "irrational" for refusing to get the vaccine.. you need to google influenza/h1n1 vaccine.. there are some HORRIBLE things that can happen to you as a result of the vaccine.. they haven't even proven that the vaccine will help, at the least there is ALOT of debate about this.. ALOT!! from professionals to mothers to conspiracy theorists... getting a vaccine, ANY vaccine, is a risk, it always has been and it always probably will be... She has a right to refuse to take a shot that may risk her health much more than getting the virus itself.. ALSO.. there is way way way too much fear over H1N1.. it is NO worse than regular flu, and cannot be transmitted any differently, nor is it usually fatal to UN-immunocomprimised people.. Yes, it is an infant, but it is her life too, and you SHOULD NOT!!!! say she is insane, and irrational for wanting to protect herself..
To answer your Question OP.. if it is not in the contract, then you probably don't have to, I would explain to the family my preferences, and my reasons (sadly, probably important here) and see what they say. After all, it was just a recommendation by the pediatrician, perhaps they wont force you to it. And perhaps they will. All I can say is talk to them, it is really the only way to work it out. Would you really want to stay on with them if you had to force them to keep you because "it wasn't in the contract" and they decided to push you on it? Probably not. Good luck chica.. i feel for you!!!
Do you work in Park Slope? Because there was just a discussion about this from a parent on a Park Slope board, about how their caregiver didn't want to take the flu or H1N1 vaccine. Just curious
Eric's Mom, You can on the basis of Religion (if you have one) get an expemtion from vaccines.
I am so thankful that I live in California and can not be forced to vaccinate. Public school's will still try to make families think they have to and will make them feel like they are bad parents for doing so, but for those who are informed, we know better.
I don't think anyone should be calling her insane, there is so much debate about vaccines. It's up there with abortion and politics. I for one would never let someone pump my infant full of that stuff. I beleive in delayed vaccination. Things can and do go wrong. It may be a small percentage but I don't want to be that small percentage, and people shouldn't be made to feel like they are stupid because of it.
There are various flu strains out there and there is no 100% guarantee that the flu shot will prevent you from getting the flu. What the companies do is try to predict what strain of flu is going to be the most prevalent and they start making vaccines for that one. I also believe they have found different strains of the swine flu now too so again just because you get the shot doesn't mean you are 100% protected.
I think you should tell them why you don't want to get the flu shot and hope they understand. My boss mentioned the shots to me in passing and I just explained to her that I've only had the flu once when I was in high school but every single time I get the shot I get really sick and she was fine with that answer and she never pushed the subject further. She got her daughter vaccinated against the reg flu as well as swine and she and her husband both got the flu vaccine.
I've been in the nanny business since 1994 and I've heard of a few families asking their nanny to do something medical related like this.
I can understand the family wanting you to get vaccinated, but they can't force you to get vaccinated. My suggestion is to try and get yourself comfortable and not emotional about the issue and discussing it with your boss. If you can keep yourself level headed when you talk to her I think she'll understand.
Lindsey said:
"I for one would never let someone pump my infant full of that stuff. I beleive in delayed vaccination. Things can and do go wrong. It may be a small percentage but I don't want to be that small percentage, and people shouldn't be made to feel like they are stupid because of it."
You're right things do go wrong like kids who get measels and mumps because their parents didn't get them vaccinated. Illnesses that were thought to be almost completely gone are now back because so many parents are choosing not to vaccinate. Sad when a kindergartener spends weeks in the hospital because of something completely preventable.
OP if you don't want to get the shot, fine, but don't expect the parents to put their child at risk because of your preferences. To them, you're replaceable, their baby isn't.
Who wouldn't want an excuse to snort drugs? ;)
I just started with a family and they kindly asked me to get the vaccine, they have a 3 month baby. There are risks with any medication, any medical procedure, and any surgery... I've been vaccinated my entire life and so far so good. So I went ahead and did it even though it wasn't mandatory.
As everyone else has said, you can talk to them, and then the decision can be made for or against you. You can't do anything about them letting you go over the subject, jobs have requirements and this is one of theirs (granted it should have been mentioned upon hire).
For conspiracy theories: the government is paying people to snort drugs... anyone else find this odd?
Yes, I should have mentioned it at the beginning, but that doesn't make it any less right what they're doing. The families with the most have been the least fair in my experience.
I care for their child full-time. Have since he was two months. Have never called in. Am always on time. Am safe and courteous. Do WAY more than what a nanny has to do. Am I REALLY the person you want to stiff here? Yowza. This family has really made me want to leave the industry.
Since you care for their child full time... I think it is even more important for you to get the vaccine.
Infants die from this stuff. That's a fact. Adults take vaccines easier than infants. Just get the vaccine or lose the job. The parents aren't wrong in the least if they fire you for this. I got the flu shot when I was a nanny years ago. The first time I ever got the shot, but I did it to keep my job.
Their child's health is more important that your comfort or wants. Find a job with a family who shares your views on vaccines if you don't want this to be an issue.
Sorry, that should say "is more important thaN your comfort or wants"
I have had a hippie mentality most of my life........buuuut when it comes to vaccines, I think the most common ones ARE important. On the other hand, I do not agree with the dousing of flouride on children's teeth, be it not in the tap water. I have perfect teeth and where I grew up there was flouride in the tap water, there were also a lot of sheep.....baaaa....the human kind.
Anyway, who knows what vaccines could do....government control on a grand scale?!
BUUT, the flu DOES kill!! And the H1N1 has been killing more than just the usual flu victims....THAT is a fact.
So, I think the parents are 100% in the right here. There child's life is at stake, you are dispensable, take it or leave it. Just be prepared to find a new job.
By the way, how WOULD you feel if you gave the kid the flu? Could you live with that?
Being a nanny is similar to being a nurse or other health professional in that you have to take certain precautions. Before you even step foot into nursing school (I am now), you have to be up-to-date on certain vaccines. They don't care if you do not have the desire to get them. You just have to have them. Or no school. Which means no nursing job. So, if you want the job, get the shot. At least the seasonal flu shot. I can understand why you would not want to get H1N1 because it is so new and we have no idea what it could do to us later on. But the seasonal flu shot has been thoroughly researched and proven to be safe AND effective. No, this family cannot force you to get vaccinated but they can most certainly withdraw their job offer.
If your issue is just a fear of needles they get the mist.
This discussion turned into yea or nay flu shot anyhow, sorry honey.
Anonymous (OP) -
I've been with my family for 19 months and never called in. That doesn't mean I couldn't get the flu tomorrow. A history of being healthy doesn't mean you can't get sick. You're not immune, you've been lucky and overall pretty healthy.
I am so tired of people using the "I'm really healthy" excuse for not getting vaccinated. In case you've been living under a rock, it has been mostly otherwise healthy people who have been hit worse by the H1N1 virus. They have been dying from it and from what I've seen the only way you can DIE from the vaccine is if you have the very rare allergy to it. It is my personal opinion that people who choose to not vaccinate their children are more or less playing with fire. And people who still think the vaccine has not been proven to work are gullible conspiracy theorists.
OP I refuse to be vaccinated because I simply don't want vaccinations. However, as a former household employee who has worked for pediatricians in the past I have gotten my shots for the benefit of their child. I have been offered free H1N1 shots over the last 2 months and to be honest my husband, who is a doctor and has seen really severe cases of H1N1 kill people my age without any preexisting conditions, recommeded I do get it. Or incase he brings a severe case home. I already had H1N1 (a light strain) but there are different strains out there.
I don't think it's inappropriate for you to decline or to just say you got one- how would they know anyways? If you end up getting a flu strain you could still get sick. Given the frequent mutations of the flu virus it makes it hard to zap anyways so there is no way they will know you got the shot or not. I do think though that you'll prob be better of with a shot only for the health benefit of the baby. You simply need to decide what you prefer. That being said, if you do decide to get one, you should be paid for an afternoon off while you do this given that it is for them. And if you tend to get symptoms the next day like I do from flu shots I would warn then that you get sick and would need to take the next day off paid if you react with nausea, light headedness and chills.
This bears repeating!
MissMannah said...
I am so tired of people using the "I'm really healthy" excuse for not getting vaccinated. In case you've been living under a rock, it has been mostly otherwise healthy people who have been hit worse by the H1N1 virus. They have been dying from it and from what I've seen the only way you can DIE from the vaccine is if you have the very rare allergy to it. It is my personal opinion that people who choose to not vaccinate their children are more or less playing with fire. And people who still think the vaccine has not been proven to work are gullible conspiracy theorists.
Now my own comments. The nasal mist is more of a live virus than the shot so if you're that paranoid about contracting flu from the vaccine, get the shot not the mist. And if you feel SO vulnerable about getting flu *from* the vaccine, that kind of shoots down your invincibility theory because you take vitamins and wash your hands. The chances of getting the flu FROM the vaccine are MUCH smaller than the chances of getting the flu DESPITE the vaccine. The shot does NOT guarantee you won't get any flu form, but it HAS been proven to reduce the chances of infection, and it reduces the severity of it if you DO still get a flu. I am immuno-compromised and my doctors have ALWAYS recommended I get the vaccine. In shot form.
As for not getting your kids vaccinated from the other childhood diseases, you owe everyone else around you a big THANK YOU for taking the trouble so you don't have to bother yourself with it. If 50% of everyone chose not to do it out of paranoia, as you do, the dieases would be making a full recurrence and kids could be getting paralyzed from polio and blinded from scarlet fever and other diseases that kids used to sometimes die from just in our parents generation. But thanks to everyone ELSE getting their kids vaccinated, you get the free ride. Just keep in mind that with all the undocumented immigrants sneaking in from other countries where NO ONE vaccinates against much of anything, these diseases are increasing in frequency even more than you realize.
And to smugly say "I.don't.vaccinate" is like saying "I don't cover my mouth when I cough". Just because you've chosen to ride around without a seatbelt, you think that child car seats are a waste of your time? H1N1 and other flue are most dangerous when opportunistic infectiuons (like pneumonia) attack someone whose already weak immune system is even more compromised. If you insist on exposing the children you are supposed to be protecting just because you're too self-absorbed to accept the reality of your own susceptibility to disease, then I think you SHOULD give up nannying. And for the record, I did not call OP "irrational", I said that if I were the employer of a brand-new nanny, I would likely rethink her employment of she could not present any RATIONAL reason for her refusal to get vaccinated.
I don't have much to add beyond what has been said - they can insist as a contract of employment. Our hospital was mandating all hospital employees get the H1N1 vaccine this year and the outrage even among medical professionals was huge. I think they ended up not making it mandatory, claiming supply issues, though I suspect fear of lawsuits was more likely.
We ask our nanny to get the mist or shot every year and either obtain it for her, or pay for her to go to a walk-in clinic. But if she was uncomfortable getting it, I would not fire her over this. However, my kids are all healthy. If I had a high risk baby I would consider requiring it as a condition of employment. I also pay for my nanny to get First Aid and CPR certification, and would never employ someone who refused to get that! Luckily that's a little less controversial.
In regards to a comment above about forcing adults to take meds or sleep in a shelter, we can in fact get court orders to force people to take medications if they have been dangerous to themselves, others, or "gravely disabled." Each state has slightly different laws and wording. Here in NY it is called Kendra's Law and is based on the danger done by unmedicated people who were known to be mentally ill. Basically it creates a duty by mental health professionals to protect people based on a reasonable judgment of possible danger - it does not require the committed person to have actually harmed someone already.
Janet,
I can't believe you are advising the OP to lie to the family and say she got a flu shot when she didn't. That would be deceptive and despicable. I really hope she doesn't take your advice and put this young child at risk. If she does take your advice, for the baby's sake, I hope the parents require some form of proof that the OP got the flu shot, and, when they find out she lied, fire her immediately for being so selfish and untrustworthy.
This is the last, then I'm off my soapbox...the hippy-dippy arguments against vaccines based on not wanting to put things in the body that are not "natural", are flat out idiotic when you realize that there are plenty of plenty of natural things in the world that can very easily kill you (like hemlock, snakebite, pneumonia, influenza...)
I didn't say anything about it not being natural so I don't assume that Cali's Mom post was addressed to me. But I would like to comment. I believe that the bombarding a 2 month old infants body with Formaldehyde, thimerosal, human protiens, etc. Can be harmful. People give there babies numerous shots in thr first year, and it just blows my mind that because their dr. said it was good for them, or because "everyone else does it." There are thousands of kids who have been affected and even died from reactions to vaccines. I know that is only a small percentage. But I think people should look at all factors before vaccinating. Someone who lives in a populous area, who works around a lot of people or even kids, somewhere where there is alot of foreigners should probably get their child vaccinated (However combo vaccines are way more dangerous and vaccines in my opinion should be split up). But someone who lives in a rural area who doesn't come into contact with many people can consider not getting their child vaccinated until it is time to enroll for school.
I base my judgements on my experiences with my children and vaccines. Everyone whether for or against it should do their research.
My 6 year old is now fully vaccinated and my 4 year old started to get his vaccine this year. I do not do combo vaccines so he gets two separate shots at a time. I feel like doing it this way I can watch him and see how things go after and if there are any changes in his behavior or any reactions, also he can tell me how he is feeling. It is harder to tell in a baby if something might be affecting them. My 2 1/2 year old has not had any of the "normal" vaccines as he will also get them before he starts school.
Lindsey, I'd have to disagree with you. The only healthy children who shouldn't be getting vaccinated are the ones who live in plastic bubbles and never come in contact with the outside world. Do you seriously think your 1.5 year old won't get any diseases just from being out and about? He doesn't have to be in school to contract a virus. So I hope you never take him to a playground, grocery store or anywhere else another human being has been.
Besides all that, don't you think the pediatricians recommend the shots because they know a little more about it than you do? Where's your phd?
OP, don't get the vaccine. I also won't go into reasons.
For everyone else, educate yourself: I second googling, or at least researching the H1N1 shot.
Quite frankly, having to find a new job would be far more pleasant than the other possibilities . . .
MissMannah, many doctors ARE now coming forward and advising patients NOT to get the flu shot.
Do your research, before injecting yourself with "experimental cures" folks.
P.S: By "flu shot", I am referring to the H1N1 shot.
I am lucky that I have a pediatrician that respects my beliefs. Even she has told me that most doctors recieve incentives, gifts, cash, etc. for the more kids they vaccinate. Please do not begin to tell me that our healthcare system is not corrupt.
Considering that after my son was born and the doctors for 5 months could not figure out what was wrong with him, it was I who put it all together and did research like a mad woman, it was I who finally figured out what was wrong with my son and what he had. I then spent months in a hospital with him changing his dressings, giving him IV meds, TPN, and being his Stem Cell Donor, not to mention that I am trying to get my nursing degree and have been a caregiver for people with multiple disabilities.
Doctors are a dime a dozen, PHD doesn't make you all knowing. Sometimes you have to go with your instinct. Just watch mystery dignosis. How many doctors told me everything would be fine, that everything would clear up on its own? All of them, until I went to them with all my information I had gathered. That PHD sure paid off huh?
Like I said my vaccine opionions are based on my research and the experience I have had with them and my kids. So please take your rantings to someone who cares. This isn't a decision I made on a whim.
I was in a similar situation, OP, and I ended up not getting the vaccine and also managed to keep my job. However, I do believe they are in their rights to let you go if you refuse, because their child's health comes first to them.
The child I care for now had the flu vaccine three weeks ago. Her upper arm was so swollen it looked like she had been injured. There's still a red mark more than 2 inches in diameter.
Also, I love the irony of people who will claim that those who are cautious about vaccines are "gullible" while at the same time saying, "Just listen to the doctor- he's the expert."
I don't know who "Annonymous" was and why they sort of took the position of OP, unless I just read that wrong...
Regardless, I am the original poster and this is my first reply on this thread.
Thank you to everyone for the advice. While I don't appreciate being insulted, I do understand that people have strong opinions and are trying to help.
I am prepared to lose my job over this. From the responses, I gather that I don't have much of a leg to stand on legally here. That is disappointing, but I suppose that is life.
Also, the baby is almost 15 months old, to clarify.
I really didn't want this to turn into a pro-vaccine vs. anti-vaccine debate. I suppose that was unavoidable.
I am not willing to put either of those vaccines inside my body becaues I don't think the ingredients are 100% safe. I know that people have had terrible neurological side effects from the ingredients, such as mercury.On some scale, I do believe that these things build up in the body and cause harm.
I think that taking reasonable precautions is mandatory, but some vaccines are just not reasonable.
Another thing I forgot to ad:
Another reply that I did not post indicated that I was full time? I'm not, I work about fifteen hours per week for this family. I don't know that that makes much of a difference, but never the less I wanted to clarify.
Also, thank you to all who have stood up for me, I appreciate it.
OP -
That is very odd that someone claimed to be you. Glad you posted to clarify.
It's your body and your choice. Good luck. Be honest with the parents and see what happens. I don't think it's a good idea to lie about getting it, however, like one poster suggested. Maybe it's not as big of a deal to them as you assumed, maybe it is, but if you're not willing to budge on your position, then don't give up what you believe for a job.
I also hope you don't eat tuna or some other fish because they have more mercury than the vaccine you're afraid of.
I'm going to nitpik here, because I believe that if one makes a basic knowledge based mistake in a debate, one might as well toss one's argument in the trash.
A physician is an **MD**, NOT a PHD. Discussing vaccination ethics and your personal ideology while calling a medical doctor a PHD negates your points and makes you sound fairly ignorant.
For all those interested in reading more about the vaccination debate, I'd suggest the book by Dr. Robert Sears. It seems to offer a balanced view of the topic, which seems rarer and rarer these days.
If we are going to nitpik, it's PhD, or Ph.D., for Doctor of Philosophy, regardless of the field, excepting education.
I missed the point when I commented earlier. If the nanny does not vaccinate, the baby contracts H1N1 from her and dies . . . . .
Yes, Village, you are correct. I chose to focus on the error that was making the posters look foolish WRT the actual discussion, but thank you for pointing out their other error.
Tell them you got one. It's the easiest thing to do and they will never know the difference.
Tales, It was your error. You're the one who brough up the PhD vs MD, not me. Seems she beat you at your own game. Wasn't it you that said, "I believe that if one makes a basic knowledge based mistake in a debate, one might as well toss one's argument in the trash."
Hmmmm.....
Lindsey, a direct quote from your post: "Doctors are a dime a dozen, PHD doesn't make you all knowing. Sometimes you have to go with your instinct. Just watch mystery dignosis. How many doctors told me everything would be fine, that everything would clear up on its own? All of them, until I went to them with all my information I had gathered. That PHD sure paid off huh?"
Are you actually trying to say you didn't use "PHD" incorrectly (on all levels) here? Really?
I am saying that I responded to someone saying "Where's your phd." I capitalized PHD, then you preceded to tell me that its MD not PHD, and then someone preceded to tell you if you're try to correct someone do it correctly.
OK Lindsey, whatever you say! You must be right, because....
Nope, nothing.
Happy holidays to you.
Phd, Md, quite frankly I don't care to get into the difference. My point was that medical professionals know the vaccine has been proven to help and so that's why they recommend it.
OP, you're willing to lose your job over this? It must be nice to have that sort of financial security to throw a good job away over something as stupid as a shot that could possibly save a life.
It's not ridiculous for parents to want their caregiver to be vaccinated. It is ridiculous how many people do not see the validity in the OP maintaining control over her own body and what goes into it. OP knows what's best for her, and when it comes down to it, a job should help you live the kind of life you want, not detract from it.
Furthermore, OP has stated she works very part-time at this job. Therefore, the level of sacrifice she is willing to make for it may be less than what she would make for a full-time job.
It's not the pro or anti vaccine arguments that boggle my mind, it's the lack of respect for OP's autonomy.
MissMannah, a shot can save a life but it can also take one. You might be able to take Tylenol but I can die from it because I have a severe allergy. Don't judge OP. If she doesn't want it, she doesn't have to get it.
And "Sorry, but" I couldn't agree with you more.
FYI- how funny that this posting came right before the H1N1 recall of 800 000 shots. At least it's not a big deal- it was just too weak.
OP do what is right for you- you come first especially in a PT job. If you need to lie, at least find another job who shares your believes. Perhaps a good point to bring up at interviews.
You'll notice in my first post I said people with an allergy can die from the shot. I know this, which is why a person should have allergy tests before putting anything in his or her body.
Other than that, I absolutely think people should be forced into vaccinations. But, then again, I also think Communism works in theory.
OP, infants under 6-months cannot get the vaccine. It is recommended by the CDC that all caregivers working with children of that age get the vaccine.
You are in the PRIORITY group.
Your concerns whatever they may be are ill advised, let me assure you the flu shot is perfectly safe. It isn't going to cause you to get feline leukemia or turn your hair green.
You must understand, if I was your employer and you refused to get a shot that could potentially save my child's life, I would consider you a danger to my family and fire you on the spot.
What other vaccines do you lack? Perhaps you shouldn't be in this profession.
Look, people who know better - people who study this stuff find the aversion to vaccines to be not all that different from claiming the world is flat. I would point everyone to research journals, etc. But we don't all have that kind of time. I will cite something more popular.
To the parents in this thread that haven't vaccinated their children, here's some friendly reading:
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-why-does-vaccine-autism-controversy-live-on
We have been manufacturing Influenza vaccines for decades. They work. 2009's novel H1N1 strain is no different when it comes to the creation of a vaccine, but is sure as heck different if your body gets it.
The most likely group to get infected are teens and people in their twenties.
The most likely group to die is the elderly and the very young.
It's a recipe for disaster. Again, I would fire you on the spot and I would not be a good reference.
I'm vaccinated.
"Sorry, but...." Summed it up for me perfectly. Same with Miss Mannah. Thank you!
I am saying that I responded to someone saying "Where's your phd." I capitalized PHD, then you preceded to tell me that its MD not PHD,
Lindsey, I'd drop this. That should be "proceeded," not "preceded." These things never end well- every post you make leaves you open to another attack. (To wit: proceed/precede, which are more or less antonymous.)
and then someone preceded to tell you if you're try to correct someone do it correctly.
erm, well... just- well.
Your concerns whatever they may be are ill advised, let me assure you the flu shot is perfectly safe.
I'm pro-vacc but NOTHING in this world is "perfectly safe."
I haven't read the responses here but, I was in the doctors office when the doctor suggested that, and I simply ignored it.
The dad said to me, 'I guess we are all going to have to take flu shots'
I simply said, I have never had a flu shot and don't plan on getting one. There was a moment of silence.
About two or three more times I heard it mentioned passive aggressively and I pretty much just ignored them- incidentally he is the only one to bring viruses in the house.
They eventually got flu shots including the h1n1 for the kids.
By the way they never got the flu shots themselves.
Only do what you are comfortable doing. It is your body and your life. Flu shots are not requirements for jobs, if it were I guess I would not be a nanny after all.
No one like to get the cold or worse the flu, and that's why we have to be careful in washing our hands, but if we do get sick- they get me sick quite a few times- it's called life.
I personally would prefer if they all got the shot so I know that they won't bring the virus in, but I don't expect anyone to do anything that i myself don't want to do.
If you're a nanny, you should just expect to be required to take a flu shot. If you don't want a flu shot then find a new line of work outside of taking care of young kids. Quit being irrational and making such a big deal over flu shot. Good grief they're not asking you to do meth, they're asking you to take something that will help prevent the spread of a virus to a young person that does not have a fully developed immune system. Stop acting like you're being persecuted.
It's mind boggling how so many of you keep saying that "it's only a flu shot", "they prevent you from getting the flu", blah, blah, blah. There have been plenty of cases linked to vaccines were children have developed serious disabilities and even death. People put so much trust in these doctors, that they throw out all rational thinking. You go right ahead and let them inject you with whatever is in that crap, cause NONE OF YOU REALLY KNOW what's in them except for what they tell you. Don't be so quick to judge someone who looks well into things instead of going with the flow and being a sheeple.
*being sheeple.
And if you or your child is vaccinated, then how would an unvaccinated person be a threat if they work?
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