My Nursing Uniforms - The H1N1 Shot – To Get it or Not to Get it? That is the Question!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of September 27, 2009 there have been more than 340,000 laboratory confirmed cases of the pandemic H1N1 influenza and more than 4100 deaths. It is still hard to confirm the number of actual cases as many countries have stopped counting the mild cases. This may mean that the actual number of H1N1 cases is significantly higher. The flu continues to spread, and in North America, as of September 27, the increase in respiratory diseases has been higher than normal in the last two weeks.

In response to the need to protect the public, health-care workers, doctors, nurses, and those working in hospitals and clinics have, in many areas, been asked to get the new H1N1 vaccine. While the plan is to protect people, many of these individuals are protesting, saying that they should not be forced to get the vaccine as a condition of keeping their employment. In a recent article in the USA Today news, Sue Field, a registered nurse who works in a maternity ward and organizer of a rally to protest the mandatory vaccination of medical professionals, said “There’s no proof this vaccine will protect us from swine flu or protect us from spreading it to other.” Still, Dr. Richard Daines, the New York state health commissioner, says that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and the best way to prevent the spread of the flu. He also says that while there is a flu outbreak every year that results in about 2,000 deaths in New York and 36,000 deaths in the country, the H1N1 pandemic will most likely result in three outbreaks.

What do you know about the H1N1 vaccine?

There is a difference between the normal yearly flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine. According to Carol Baker, vaccine expert from the Baylor College of Medicine and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the normal flu vaccine contains three different influenza viruses in it. Each of these viruses hang around through out the fall and winter. The H1N1 vaccine, on the other hand, contains only one single virus.

How many shots do you need and how long before it “kicks in”?

In the past it was assumed that people would need more than one shot of the vaccine, but in September findings released from a clinical trial showed that you only need one shot. Once you are vaccinated, it takes 10-14 days for the novel H1N1 vaccine to provide protection.

You may have heard that the flu shot is important for the elderly and those with chronic diseases and weakened systems, but the H1N1 flu is different. This flu is hitting younger people, which is why the ACIP is recommending that anyone working with people, elderly, kids, pregnant women and/or infants younger than 6 months of age get vaccinated. This also includes vaccination for health care workers, people ages 6months to 24 years of age and those people age 25 to 64 with immune system deficiencies and chronic illnesses.

Sure, but is the H1N1 shot really safe?

This is a new vaccine. Of course people are worried. According to Carol Baker, there have never been any problems with the flu vaccines other than some minor side effects like fever, aches, pains and a little soreness where the needle was given.

In Hong Kong, almost half of 2255 health care workers polled said they would refuse the H1N1 flue vaccine. Why? Because they are concerned about the side effects and they were doubtful about whether or not it would really protect them. The results were surprising, considering Hong Kong was so severely hit with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) back in 2003.

Is refusing the H1N1 vaccine ethical?

Even though the World Health Organization recommends that each country vaccinates its healthcare workers, it is not an easy issue to tackle. According to an article in the American Journal of Nursing, less than 40% of health care workers have been vaccinated for the flu and in a Nursing Times survey from the UK, 30% of nurses said they would refuse the H1N1 vaccine. 37% said they would take have the shot. Those who refuse the shot say that nurses have the same rights as patients and should be able to refuse treatment.

Still, the question remains – do nurses have a professional obligation to protect themselves from the H1N1 virus and, as a result, protect the patients and coworkers around them? Exposure to the H1N1 virus in the hospital may be considered part of a healthcare workers’ job – incurring a certain amount of personal risk in order to care for those who are in need of medical attention. From infections, injury on the job, toxins and more, risks are everywhere in the daily job of nurses. Does openly being at risk for H1N1 count in the same category as these other risks? The American Nurses Association (ANA) outlines the level of risk that nurses should be expected to allow in their care for patients.

Some people believe the normal seasonal flu shot will be enough to protect them against the H1N1 flu. This is wrong. According to the CDC, the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect anyone against the H1N1 flu.

What if you already had the flu in 2009?

Again, according to the CDC, if you had the flu this year but aren’t sure if it was the H1N1 flu, and if your doctor thinks you should get it, then you need to get vaccinated. In other words, unless you know for sure you had the H1N1 flu as confirmed by tests, then you probably still need the shot.

So you DON’T want the shot…..

The controversy over whether or not nurses should have to get the H1N1 vaccination remains. In the mean time, the rules for preventing the spread of the virus remains:

Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser
Avoid touching surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
If you feel sick –STAY HOME – and avoid contact with others.
Stay aware of the local news and reports of H1N1 outbreaks.
Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and protect your immune system with good health.