Should flu jabs be compulsory for nurses working with the vulnerable?

[jake-the-peg]

Last year 2/3 of Nurses in London had not had the swine flu jab

http://news.bbc.co.uk...nd/london/8471304.stm

[mollykins]

This is kind of relevant. My dad works at hospitals and one day (at home) he nearly sliced his finger tip completely off, so went to a nearby minor injuries clinic and the nurse (who he knew!) was horrified to learn that his last tetnus jab was over 30 years before! So he had stitches and a jab all in one session! But I think someone should make sure anyone that works at hospitals is up to date with all jabs and have optional ones such as the flu jabs.

[Sqad]

This is just a personal view.

No medical treatment either active or preventative should be compulsory after the pros and cons have been discussed with the subject.

Slow uptake of N1N1 vaccine was de to the mild effects of the virus except for the young children and pregnant mothers. The small chance of severe neurological complications as well as a poor result of prediction of spread by the medical fratenity.

This N1H1 seems to be acting differently and although mutation has been denied..............I have my suspicions.

[squarebear]

Nope, Sure let them have the choice but don't force them. If they are stupid enough to work with Flu victims, yet not have the Flu jab themselves then more fool them.

[boxtops]

It's offered free of charge to all front-line staff in the NHS - it's up to individuals whether they want to take it up. This year, the seasonal flu and swine flu vaccine is all combined in the one dose, you can only have separate if you are in certain categories of health. I had mine!
H1N1 sqad, btw....

[237SJ]

Squarebear, I think the article was implying that vulnerable patients could be at risk from nurses with swine flu rather than the other way around

[Sqad]

boxy....on this occasion I agree with you.

[jd_1984]

The other day I saw a gentleman who was full of flu coughing and sneezing at the till in Tesco, no attempt to cover his mouth or anything. You could see the poor check out girl uncomfortable having to breathe in his germs. It made me realise that people in customer service and face to face job roles are far more likely to contract flu than say an office worker who only interacts with 2 or 3 people a day.

[Sqad]

237SJ....You are quite correct.....I read it as did squarbear..........that if nurses developed swine flu, the NHS couldnt cope.

But you are correct.

[jd_1984]

I should have said "it made me think" not "it made me realise" which suggeted I was stating that I had come to a conclusion. It was just a thought.

[Sqad]

237SJ......I think that squarebear is correct, despite the interpretation of the newspaper article.

Vaccinating the nurses wouldnt stop them from being "carriers" of H1N1 so the patient might still be at risk.
The object of vaccinating the nurses would be to keep them H1N1 symptom free, so thatr time off work would not be necessary.

I have changed my mind ;-)

[boxtops]

Didn't stop me getting this p0xy virus that's going round.... ache, pain, woe....

[237SJ]

I didn`t think men changed their minds. That`s my prerogative! :-)

[Sqad]

237SJ...LOL

[237SJ]

Actually, although I think the important thing is protecting the patients from nurses with swine flu or swine flu carriers, I wouldn`t have a problem if I was doing their job and the vaccination was compulsory. There is a vaccination that I have to have that is compulsory and I`ve never questioned whether I like the idea or not. It`s always just been accepted.

[boxtops]

Why just nurses anyway in the OP ?- why not doctors, healthcare assistants, catering staff, et al? - all front line contacts with patients.

[Sqad]

23SJ...you are one of the most intelligent of ABers and one of my favourites, but are you seriously telling me that you have a "jab in the arm" and you havent a clue why and what it contains?

[237SJ]

Yes, sqad I have a Yellow Fever vaccination which is compulsory in my job. Thanks for the compliments by the way!!!

[squarebear]

If a nurse with Swine Flu was at work, then it's not swine flu she's got.

[boxtops]

Fair point squarebear!
Some of us have to have HepB vaccine too - I can't, I'm HepB antibody resistant.

[madmaggot]

Definitely NOT!
A relative of mine works for NHS and was strongly advised to have the Hepatitus jab because he works with such stuff as commodes, etc which are likely to have contamination. He was not keen, but was told that it is absolutely safe, no risk at all.
Well, he got hepatitus from it. Was very ill for months and is still not totally well.