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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask Health care staff treating me if they've had their covid vaccine?

366 replies

BearEastie · 28/02/2021 11:17

I am immunosuppressed. I've been vaccinated but they don't know how well it will work yet.

I would prefer to only be treated by staff who had been vaccinated, thus if they said no I would ask for limited contact or a swap in nursing etc.

Just read shocking statistics from the hospital I am due to go to next month for a two week stay and I am starting to freak out just a little bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 11:56

@lljkk I've been under the care of two trusts and they both have flu fighter badges each year, and I think there was a fancy lanyard one year too.

OP posts:
OhWhyNot · 28/02/2021 11:58

I don’t think you are being unreasonable.

Private care companies are changing their polices, moving patients on from NHS to private support will be impacted why would a home/hostel/community support team/supported accommodation take on new clients/patients who are not vaccinated when they have a choice to take on those that have been and the same applies to staff

I believe you have the right to ask op and it would be long until it’s mandatory for new staff and an option for patients

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 28/02/2021 11:59

@Donotfeedthebears

As if a nurse in the early stages of pregnancy would tell you she was pregnant before she told her family!
Op didn’t say she wanted to ask people WHY they hadn’t had the vaccine.
OMGisthisforreal · 28/02/2021 11:59

I have recently had dealings with a hospital on behalf of my elderly DF who had to be admitted for a pre-booked procedure and 7 night stay for monitoring, scans and recovery.
He was admitted under what they call a “green pathway” which seems to be designated areas of the hospital which are strictly monitored to be COVID free as opposed to general wards which admit patients without prior testing etc. I assume from A&E admissions, for example, when they have to be accommodated wherever there is a free bed. In his case, it was the private wing that had been taken over for this purpose.
I would suggest you seek reassurance from the hospital either from calling or emailing your Clinic Consultant’s secretary or, if that fails, by contacting PALS.
As you are immunosuppressed it should be expected that you need this reassurance so I hope you get an answer that puts your mind at rest.

dappledsunshine · 28/02/2021 12:03

[quote BearEastie]@lljkk I've been under the care of two trusts and they both have flu fighter badges each year, and I think there was a fancy lanyard one year too.[/quote]
The badges/lanyards etc are not compulsory through, so not an accurate reflection of who has had/hadn't had fu vaccine.

If you've had your vaccine and the staff caring for you are in PPE that should reduce the risk significantly.

WaterOffADucksCrack · 28/02/2021 12:08

It puts people in the position of being judged though. When people as if I've had it and I say no they look at you and talk to you like you're the one solely responsible for the pandemic! And in a few cases have been berrated for not having it. I don't want to disclose my medical history or family plans or the fact I'm breastfeeding to my resident's families.

Women are discriminated enough for the biological fact that we are the ones who go through pregnancy and birth. This is just adding to it and forces people to disclose if they are pregnant well before they are ready to discuss it.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:09

The badges/lanyards etc are not compulsory through, so not an accurate reflection of who has had/hadn't had fu vaccine.

Well if someone is wearing a hospital issued badge lanyard it's a pretty good indicator they have had their flu vaccine so no need to ask about it.

OP posts:
babyyodaxmas · 28/02/2021 12:12

I don't think you can ask. I usually volunteer the information as it makes patients feel safer.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:13

Thank you for all the responses by the way.

How do people feel about health care workers asking if patients have had the vaccine? I did get asked this by a non-GP healthcare worker (my GP obviously knew I had had it!). I didn't think twice about answering!

OP posts:
rawalpindithelabrador · 28/02/2021 12:14

YABVU.

shouldistop · 28/02/2021 12:14

I'd assume they were asking for medical reasons.

shouldistop · 28/02/2021 12:14

Or just to make conversation

FunTimes2020 · 28/02/2021 12:17

[quote BearEastie]@shouldistop some vaccines are already mandatory in some cases where there's risk of transmission (ie Hep B).[/quote]
No vaccines are mandatory for HCWs. You have that wrong.

EL8888 · 28/02/2021 12:17

Totally unreasonable. No l haven’t had it, there are very specific reasons why. But that’s none of your business and l wouldn’t tell you.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:17

Or just to make conversation So I could "just make conversation" then potentially, interesting.

OP posts:
catatecheese · 28/02/2021 12:19

I tell my patients I have and that I lateral flow test twice weekly. I'm completely transparent as I need them to trust me! All my colleagues are open about this and happily chat to patients about it.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:19

@FunTimes2020 I actually looked that up in my confusion- and yes, it some cases it is mandatory (whether that's all trusts or just some). Hang on, I will link you up with a trust policy... Where I did train originally it was mandatory so apologies for that confusion (for all as I said up thread).

"NB All staff that carry out Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) must be vaccinated and
proven to be immune to Hepatitis B before commencing EPP."

From Pg 9 of this: www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=73504&type=full&servicetype=Inline

OP posts:
shouldistop · 28/02/2021 12:20

And if they say no? Are you planning to refuse them treating you? If so, you're not just making conversation.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:20

I am really loving those of you who are being so transparent with patients about it - I also hope it is helping those patients who haven't had it and are anxious about having it to have these discussions too.

OP posts:
Whentheleavesfalldown · 28/02/2021 12:20

yabu, I don't think you should ask people about their medical information as it's none of your business.
Are you going to ask about their full vaccination history? Btw Hep B is not compulsory, will you be asking that as well?
I know a healthcare worker who tells people she has been vaccinated when she hasn't and will not be getting the vaccine, so how do you know they are even telling the truth?

Asking patient's would be for clinical reasons, not to just be nosey at their medical history.

Original poster
BearEastie · 28/02/2021 12:21

I know a healthcare worker who tells people she has been vaccinated when she hasn't and will not be getting the vaccine, so how do you know they are even telling the truth?

Well - she's pretty stupid to lie to a patient and hopefully one of her colleagues has raised dishonest behaviour - there are many working contracts that allow for such behaviour.

OP posts:
Forestcantrun · 28/02/2021 12:23

I never wore a "flu fighter" badge and I won't be wearing a covid one. They are optional, not mandatory.
If you're immunosupressed, neutropenic, whichever, and having treatment you will be nursed in isolation with appropriate precautions. Being vaccinated does not prevent carrying. Everyone will be in PPE anyway.
It is very unreasonable to ask staff if they've been vacinated. As PP have mentioned there are often reasons someone cannot take a vaccine and those reasons will be private to the individual and occupational health. It is also not a mandatory vaccination.

Donotfeedthebears · 28/02/2021 12:24

Are you always this anxious OP?

flippertygibbit · 28/02/2021 12:24

How do people feel about health care workers asking if patients have had the vaccine? I did get asked this by a non-GP healthcare worker (my GP obviously knew I had had it!). I didn't think twice about answering!

Considering they'd have access to my medical notes I would assume they already know. I wouldn't expect to know the medical history of the person treating me - that's irrelevant , but I would expect them to know my full history.

flippertygibbit · 28/02/2021 12:25

Also - never seen a flu fighter badge/lanyard in my life, and unfortunately I'm a regular at GP/Hospital.