Hmmmmm what to do?

[JumboShrimp]

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So I have been volunteering at a hospital ever since last year. Now they have this new rule that all volunteers have to get 2 shots of the swine flu vaccine and one shot of for the seasonal flu...I don't know what to do now, I think getting the vaccine for the swine flu is risky bc it is fairly new 🙁 Did anyone here get the shots?

 

[Bacchus]

Either get the vaccines or stop volunteering. That's the situation you're in. Although the vaccine is new, it has to pass certain levels of safety to be released to the public. If you're concerned, contact your primary care physician or a physician in occupational health the discuss the risks and benefits of the vaccine.

Others, please don't give any medical advice.

I'm not getting the vaccine for either flu variant because my patient contact as a first year medical student is limited.

 

[shiftingmirage]

My guess is that no one here had gotten one since I do not believe they are available yet. I think they will be out in a couple weeks. (H1N1, that is).

As for getting it, I just received a lovely notice from my school that I am required to get one. My guess is that if you as a volunteer are required to get one, so is the Chief of Surgery, Chief of Medicine, Chief of Neuro...get my drift? Lots of people with MDs and DOs behind their names are going to get it, and they are educated medical personnel. If there was a huge concern, I would hope that these individuals would be the first to say no, but these individuals are probably the ones who will be enforcing the policy. My guess is that you may be annoyed that the hospital is basically dictating your medical care by forcing you to get the shot. The government does the same thing with schools. If you kid isn't vaccinated, they can't enroll in public schools, and probably private ones too.

Like I said, I have to get it and I will. How can I as a future medical professional tell others that vaccinations are great, when I don't get them myself? I could argue as a mostly healthy individual, I should be the first in line, instead of the diabetic, hypertensive, cancer patient.

 

[Birdsbeak]

Be wary of the vaccine. It's going to be just like the Will Smith movie "I am legend." People who receive the vaccine are going to turn into living zombies. Most of us will just die, but the few of us that survive will not be able to go out at night. Better find a K-9 companion now.

 

[HawkDawk]

Be wary of the vaccine. It's going to be just like the Will Smith movie "I am legend." People who receive the vaccine are going to turn into living zombies. Most of us will just die, but the few of us that survive will not be able to go out at night. Better find a K-9 companion now.

I have a Boston Terrier. I'm assuming he would suffice. Less likely to turn on me that way, but sure as hell won't keep any zombie dogs away.

My only advice is to try to get the shots a day before your lightest day of class or work, in case you have minor reactions and feel a little awry.

 

[meerkatmd]

I have a Boston Terrier. I'm assuming he would suffice. Less likely to turn on me that way, but sure as hell won't keep any zombie dogs away.

My only advice is to try to get the shots a day before your lightest day of class or work, in case you have minor reactions and feel a little awry.

be careful, though, and dont follow the dog into dark abandoned buildings.

do you have to pay for the vaccine or is the hospital paying for it? because if its free, that would be badass. either way, i would take the vaccine.

 

[kami333]

I don't think I could survive like Will, and wouldn't really see the point anyways so I'd get the vaccine.

My hospital is offering it for free, both seasonal and H1N1. I'm not required to so I haven't decided if I'm going to get it or not, I already had H1N1 in May (I was sick for about 3weeks).

 

[schrizto]

Just get the vaccine! I am sure it is quite safe, otherwise it would not be distributed so widely.

 

[DrYoda]

I never get flu shots, but I'm going to get the H1N1 shots. Main reason being the med school is connected to the hospital...

 

[Caprica6]

I'm assuming that it's the hospital's policy that all employees and volunteer's get specific vaccinations. What are you going to do when you are a med student or resident or physician and are told the same thing?