BJC tells employees to get a flu shot or find other work

[007]

This oughta be good

[stlredman]

Are there other hospitals across the country that have required immunization?

[Skeptic]

Seems like a slam dunk to me.

I wonder how many of those refusing to get the shot also refuse to stand up for the National Anthem.

[Bleacher Creature]

I had to take the flu shot every year while in the USAF. I get sick 8 of the 10 years. I've only taken it once in the 21 years I've been a civilan. I've gotten sick twice. Yep, one of those times was when I got the shot.

[Skeptic]

I

had to take the flu shot every year while in the USAF. I get sick 8 of the 10 years. I've only taken it once in the 21 years I've been a civilan. I've gotten sick twice. Yep, one of those times was when I got the shot.

Life is a crap shoot.

Consider this:

One of those years, you might have been irritated by the long lines, and you decided to walk out.

And then you got hit by a bus on your way out.

[Bleacher Creature]

You never know when your number is up.

[Skeptic]

You never know when your number is up.

Unless you're at the Deli.

Or the DMV.

[MsFunkay]

i have a question for someone who may have a clue. you hear a bunch of people who say they got sick even though they had a flu shot, so...

1) do they really have the flu or could it be something else

2) do they have a strain of flu that in some years the vaccination couldn't prevent? just like with other shots that say they can prevent something, but not all types?

[Skeptic]

i have a question for someone who may have a clue you hear a bunch of people who say they got sick even though they had a flu shot, so...

1) do they really have the flu or could it be something else

2) do they have a strain of flu that in some years the vaccination couldn't prevent?

__________________

You raise a great point.

I've never had a flu shot, and I am rarely sick. However, I got a very bad strain of respiratory influenza in 2007. I started out with a cough, and then a very intense fever, and then a lingering version of the initial cough. It lasted for a good 6 weeks, but then it passed.

I started taking multi-vitamins, bought a juicer, and yes, I took Airborne.

I've been fine ever since.

Go figure.

Genetics and blind luck.

I think that's the bottom line.

[MsFunkay]

hope you're saving your money by not buying airborne anymore

but i do think 07 was a pretty bad year for the flu

[Cavalier79]

i have a question for someone who may have a clue. you hear a bunch of people who say they got sick even though they had a flu shot, so...

1) do they really have the flu or could it be something else

2) do they have a strain of flu that in some years the vaccination couldn't prevent? just like with other shots that say they can prevent something, but not all types?

I can comment a bit on Number 2. The flu shot is made up initially of live flu strains. The strains are mixed together based upon the anticipated strains for the current year and all of the strains from the prior year. Remember that this vaccine is made well in advance so they have to guess.

The problem is that the flu strains that are present in the world can mutate each year. Therefore, if it mutates into a strain not covered directly or close enough in the vaccine, then the vaccine is essentially worthless in protecting against that strain. Also, if it is close but not an exact match, certain individuals do not have an immune system that will cover the differences and you will get the flu.

I asked this question along time ago of my physician and this is the explanation that I was given. I have not had the flu since taking the shot for the last 10 years. Then again, I never got the flu when I didn't take the shot.

[Jack Daniels]

Unless you're at the Deli.

Or the DMV.

My mom works at the DMV and when I tried to be polite & wait in line, one of her co-workers would just waive me to the front, to a different computer...Always good for a dirty look or three.

[210]

Every time I've gotten a flu shot, I've gotten the flu.

So I guess they're 100% effective.

[Guppy]

One thing for sure, they are going to make people sick of their job

[MsFunkay]

I can comment a bit on Number 2. The flu shot is made up initially of live flu strains. The strains are mixed together based upon the anticipated strains for the current year and all of the strains from the prior year. Remember that this vaccine is made well in advance so they have to guess.

The problem is that the flu strains that are present in the world can mutate each year. Therefore, if it mutates into a strain not covered directly or close enough in the vaccine, then the vaccine is essentially worthless in protecting against that strain. Also, if it is close but not an exact match, certain individuals do not have an immune system that will cover the differences and you will get the flu.

I asked this question along time ago of my physician and this is the explanation that I was given. I have not had the flu since taking the shot for the last 10 years. Then again, I never got the flu when I didn't take the shot.

ahh thanks, that's kinda what i thought, but wasn't sure if they knew of the other strains yet (like too many strains to make shots for) or could it mutate and screw up their plans.

and i'm not sure anyone can really answer #1 considering usually people who have flu symptoms during flu season are basically given the same thing as someone who doesn't have the flu but another passing illness.