Influenza Vaccine Pros And Cons

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There are multiple myths surrounding the influenza vaccine in which health professionals, including nurses believe and are not informed of anything different. One myth health professionals believe is that they will acquire the flu as a result of obtaining their flu shot (Mion, 2013). To clarify, the definition of influenza is, as stated by Dictionary.com (2014), “An acute, commonly epidemic disease, occurring in several forms, caused by numerous rapidly mutating viral strains and characterized by respiratory symptoms and general prostration.” This is false as the vaccines contain dead viruses (Mion, 2013). Nurses need proper education pertaining to the influenza vaccine to contradict these myths and form the correct decision regarding whether …show more content…
Obtaining ones flu shot contributes to a nurse doing no harm as a nurse should do everything possible to protect their client from illness (“NHS leaders criticize,” 2013). The risks associated with the yearly influenza vaccine are much less then those associated with the illness itself. Multiple studies demonstrate the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweigh the cons (Mion, 2013). There are also various studies claiming the cons of receiving ones vaccine. The major point argued is that becoming vaccinated reduces a nurse’s autonomy (“Centres for disease,” 2011). Those men and women who become nurses willingly enter into the field, accept the risks and responsibilities associated with their job, and understanding they will be working alongside ill clients whose needs are to be put ahead of themselves (“Centres for disease,” 2011). Nurses must comply with their ethical duty of protecting their clients and Obtain their influenza vaccination to protect their client from the influenza virus. Moreover, another study discovered that 15-20% of nurses were not vaccinated against the influenza virus and a majority (76%) of those who were not vaccinated continued to practice with flu like symptoms (Anikeeva, Barunack-Mayar & Rogers, 2009). These ill nurses who are continuing to practice are putting immunocompromised clients at risk for contracting the influenza virus. These nurses and many others who fall into the same categories are harming their clients as they are not protecting and putting their interests first. Anikeeva, Barunack-Mayar & Rogers (2009) stated, “most medical codes of ethics have general statements implying that health care workers have particular duties that relate to their specialist training, access to resources, and ability to provide health care.” Although it is not a rule in many health institutions, this statement indirectly refers to being

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