Flu jab for nhs workers..

[fluuuuu]

So. I have name changed as I have previously mentioned where I work.

I have been told that I have to have the flu jab this year as a nurse in a hospital in the uk. It shows up on my compliance and training now as a red blob

If we don't get the flu jab we will be disciplined formally and lose 2 days of annual Leave, the deadline for doing so is today. However stocks are low and they ran out of the jab 4 weeks ago with not a lot of uptake but they might get more in by Monday. 50% of my department have refused to have it. As it's 'intrusive' and unison agreed so now they've been ticked as having had it even though they haven't.

My issue is. I would have the jab but they don't have the stocks in. and they've stopped doing clinics because there is no vaccine to give. I want the jab However I'm still being hounded to have a non existent vaccine and threatened with disciplinary action and loss of 2 days holiday for not having it whereas half of my colleagues complained about having to have it and they don't have to have it and won't be perused to have it and most importantly will not lose 2 days annual leave

Aibu? This is really unfair!

I had to have it in Asda.
It's not easy to get out of clinics that are booked months ahead to have the flu jab within our Trust.
I have it every year but still usually have flu/awful flu type illness every Winter, necessitating some sick leave.
Nature of the job I suppose 🤷‍♀️

I'm a nurse and refuse it for now. If I had a flu vaccine every year I was eligible, by the time I'm dead I could have had over 80 different flu vaccines injected into me. Don't fancy that tbh, so I'll decline until I feel it's being given for my benefit not the needs of the service.
I work in general practice, we have loads of vaccine left. Hundreds of vulnerable patients to refuse it themselves every year. This year is no different yet it seems.

Boots give it for free if eligible and nhs staff are eligible there. Book online or pop in. I did it today.

Although I’m not sure I agree with forcing people to have it done. Flu can be horrendous. After the last bout I’ve had it annually and not got it in the years vaccinated. Maybe just lucky.

As an asthmatic nurse (pregnant this year) I have it done every year and have for years. I have a duty of care to myself, my family and my patients. I have seen what flu can do to people, even otherwise fairly young and healthy people. I may still get a strain of flu that I have not been vaccinated against but I will know that I have taken every precaution available.

I think if you work in the NHS you should absolutely have the vaccine - especially since over 50% of flu cases are asymptomatic but still contagious. I have a colleague who has refused, stating 'she doesn't believe in it' - she works with frail elderly people and I think she's a disgrace.

But forcing it on staff is not on. Our Trust manages with persuasion and education. Vaccination rates are rising steadily.

You put in an ‘ Incident form’ to the relevant dept, I assume occupational health. If you don’t know how to do that then ask.

@Weebeastiebaby how can they possibly enforce that, given that the flu vaccine only protects against 3 (I think) flu strains so you could get a) a different strain or b) rhinovirus/paraflu/metapnuemovirus. Are they going to swab you to diagnose as well? Ridiculous.

Presumably different trusts have different rules. I work in a childrens hospital, have lots of patient contact every day, but I don't work for the NHS. My colleagues and I are not allowed to have the flu jab at work, while the nurses and support workers we work with every day are being hounded to have it.

OP - Your GP Practice can do it for you.

There is an national enhanced service for healthcare workers to get free flu vac at their GP surgery.

The Quad vaccine is not in a national shortage - only Fluad for over 65s is having an issue - and even then PHE state give the Quad as offers better protection than nothing and you can have a second jab when stocks in.

If you really want it you can get it.

Apparently done pharmacies will do it for free if you show your NHS ID card, lots of my colleagues opted to do that