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nblacksmith: 3 months ago | Last edited at 6:26PM on 2/1/2013

What is the rationale for educated health care workers refusing flu shots? Yes it is their right to refuse, but I would like to know why.

I am not trolling for a heated debate, I would just really like to know the reasoning behind this decision. I always get a flu shot, and rarely get sick. I think the shot works. But do you guys know something I don't know?

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Answer 1

kwojcik: 3 months ago

It should be born in mind that the pharmaceutical industry is a for- profit one and as such has no aversion to selling consumers things they don't really need. Or excessive amounts of things they do need. I think everyone needs to weigh their own individual risk factors and make their decision accordingly. We have created ourselves a serious problem with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. I think we should be cautious with our use of antivirals. That being said, medical personnel are probably at exceptionally high risk and are the last people you want to have incapacitated in the event of a pandemic.

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kwojcik: 3 months ago

A tip to reduce your risk level that is cheap, safe & effective :
Money literally is filthy and an excellent disease vector. Do not the fondle your money. Count it once, get it right, wash your hands.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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dawnbright: 3 months ago

We used to spray the money with Lysol -Maybe that is why I didn't get to call in sick when I worked @ a fast food joint

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Answer 2

boo153: 3 months ago via iPhone

I'm not a health care worker but even if I was I would refuse them. I have no faith in "safe" vaccines and I don't think this has been around long enough for us to know if there will be long term problems.

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rustyboilerz: 3 months ago via Android

That was the same thinking back during the Spanish flu pandemic.

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boo153: 3 months ago via iPhone

Maybe but my grandmother lived to 106 by NOT taking every vaccine that hit the shelves

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 3

ablomqu2: 3 months ago via iPhone

Some don't believe in modern medicine, have a phobia of needles, or feel that other people need it more than they do.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 4

Rog0123: 3 months ago via iPhone | Last edited at 6:34PM on 2/1/2013

I heard that there are so many strains of flu out there that they just guess what ones they are immunizing against. Quite honestly, I never get the flu shot; been lucky so far. And I've worked in health care for most of my life. I've been exposed to a lot ; I think I've built up an immunity .

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boo153: 3 months ago via iPhone

They've been saying here that this version hits youngsters the hardest but they are pushing seniors to get it while admitting it doesn't really do much for them

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 5

justaskin55: 3 months ago | Last edited at 6:36PM on 2/1/2013

I have never gotten the flu shot and I wont receive it even if i'm old. The reason why is because I believe the human body has to build his/her immune system. I rarely get sick so I see no need. If I do get the flu or cold, I go all natural, no medications. Only tea and cough drops with lots of rest. My brother who received the flu shot has gotten sick more often than I do. Because he doesn't let his immune system to become stronger. So I see no need in the flu shot.

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Garyz321: 3 months ago

I agree

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justaskin55: 3 months ago

Thanks

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 6

thatcrazygirl: 3 months ago via iPhone

It only works 70%. It doesn't effect me. If anything it only works 50/50 on me. It really doesn't work at all on my bros and sis. It gives them a fever D:

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 7

jenspdc77: 3 months ago via iPhone

I'm not a health worker and I always refuse the shot. When I've had the flu I let it run its course, I don't want to inject myself with the bacteria if I already know my body fights it in its own. I'm currently pregnant and I always get hassled by Drs and nurses when I go in. I also refused it for my 1year old daughter. I don't think we know the long term effects and the flu keeps changing so I think our flu shot isn't up to speed either.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 8

thistle: 3 months ago

They have medical conditions or take medicine that doesn't mix well with vaccinations. They are healthy and have no medical issues(only people with issues are recommended to get it). Just plain old no faith in vaccinations. I personally know of someone who became a living vegetable after receiving a flu vaccination. I have a medical condition but have a better immune system if I take it every other year.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 9

dawnbright: 3 months ago | Last edited at 6:42PM on 2/1/2013

I will not take the flu shot. It has not proven to be effective in preventing anything. The flue is basically like a cold. There are no known cures. I have perfect attendance at my job. I work with kids every day. I am around the public every day. I am not sure why the Flu shot is being pushed. The statistics haven't gone down and the people who have taken the flu shot have been sicker then they have ever been. After the last few years 90% who have taken the shot in previous years flatly refuse to now -( at my job)

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Garyz321: 3 months ago

Good answer

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pmh22: 3 months ago via iPhone

The only similarity of cold and flu is they are both viruses. Flu is much more serious and can be deadly. True you can get flu if you have had the shot, but not from the shot. If you do get flu after receiving the shot it will be a much milder case.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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Answer 10

Dodgy: 3 months ago

I'm with kwojcik and justaskin on this one. My next flu shot will be my first. They're not 100% effective and I've known people to contract the flu from those shots, I work on the premise that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Kwojik's point about the profit-seeking pharmaceutical industry is spot on.

I might think about it when I get old. Well, older. For the time being I'm happy to let that swarm of little ninjas that already live in my bloodstream take care of any germs that try to gatecrash my party.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

Thank you

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

It should be noted that while in some people it can cause an inflammation reaction which can last a few days after the vaccine is given, with symptoms that resemble a cold virus; the vaccine shots don't actually give people the flu.

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nblacksmith: 3 months ago

But I respect a person's right to choose what happens to their body.

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