- Nov
- 19
- 2018
Why it’s important for nurses to get a flu shot
By Angela Daly, BSN, RN
Nurses are strong, independent thinkers who go above and beyond to be there for their patients. Consistently voted by the public as the most ethical and honest profession, they are a trusted source of healthcare information. Bestowed the power to greatly influence the perception of public health and vaccines, nurses learn early on about the science behind how vaccines are the most effective tool against communicable diseases. Yet, some nurses choose to decline their annual influenza vaccine despite not having a medical reason to do so. So why aren’t all Northwell nurses (who are medically able) getting vaccinated each flu season?
Reasons for resistance
It was during my early days as a nurse that I first encountered vaccine hesitancy in the workplace. After working alongside nurses with masks on during flu season I quickly discovered that a major reason why they choose to decline the vaccine was the existence of workplace flu vaccination policies. It’s important for nurses struggling with this issue to consider why the policies are in place.
At Northwell, first and foremost the policy exists to protect our patients, their families and each other. Mandatory health care worker (HCW) influenza vaccination policies are also a patient safety initiative promoted by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help meet the Healthy People 2020 goal of having a 90% compliance rate. There have been conspiracy theories that claim hospitals only require annual influenza vaccines because they stand to profit. They’re simply not true. Health care institutions are charged with promoting patient safety and wellness to the highest degree, and CMS reinforces these initiatives by tying reimbursement to patient outcomes.
Another major reason that nurses may be choosing to decline the flu shot is that they are afraid because they have read misinformation about the flu shot. The first time that I recall truly understanding the impact of infectious disease on population health was when I watched the movie Outbreak. A flu shot may seem scary, but a pandemic disease outbreak is far scarier! Studies show that the influenza vaccine is safe and effective, and nurses have a responsibility to protect our patients by getting vaccinated each flu season.
Getting credible information
There is a plethora of misinformation on the Internet regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. A website full of advertisements should be the first clue that the writers stand to profit from the information they are sharing with you, including sensationalist claims. Credible resources, such as the CDC or a non-profit institution such as Northwell Health or the Mayo Clinic, typically take an objective approach to disseminate information. If you’re truly concerned about the influenza vaccine, have a discussion with your provider, and take a look at this video which helps debunk some of the common influenza myths.
There is no doubt that vaccines are the best tool for preventing global pandemics. Northwell encourages all team members and those associated with our organization to get their annual flu shot. Free flu shots are offered at all EHS locations, and at Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care Centers. For more information, visit the employee intranet and search “flu prevention.”
Angela Daly is a Research Nurse at Northwell Health Physician Partners Cardiology at Southampton and a Board Member for Nurses Who Vaccinate (NWV), a Long Island-based non-profit organization which positions nurses to be strong public health advocates for themselves, their families and their communities.
While I’m not on patient floors, this article has given me lots to think about with regard to getting my own flu shot. Thank you for the insights.