Excuses, excuses
October 16, 2008 by Bill MeltzerPosted in: Absenteeism, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
What are the most common reasons why employees avoid flu shots?
Here are the top excuses, according to a survey conducted several years ago:
- “Every time I get a flu shot I get sick.”
- “It’s inconvenient to go to the doctor’s office to get one.”
- “The shots don’t work anyway.”
None of these reasons are legitimate. The injection is not of a live virus, so it’s impossible to get the flu from the shot. Secondly, there are any number of resources available where vaccines can be given onsite at work. Lastly, while the vaccine can’t protect against all strains of the flu, it does help greatly reduce the risk of the most common strains.
Meanwhile, a recent study revealed that nearly 60% of health care workers fail to get a flu shot. It’s the ultimate case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Well if you can’t get the flu from the shot then why have I gotten the flu after getting the shot? I do not take any medication, and have no health problems – and I don’t think I’ve taken a bottle of aspirin my whole entire life. I’m fine until I get that shot and then I’m sick as a dog for about two weeks – that’s not my imagination. I don’t take it anymore just because of getting so sick afterwards. I’ve spoken with other people who’ve had the same result – we can’t all be crazy. ??
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
That’s because getting sick after a shot is the common/factor and experience among people. Flu shots don’t always work and there are chemicals in them that are unhealthy. It’s better to take care of your health than to rely on a “shot.” – If you have a strong immune system this should not be an issue. One year, in my law firm, I was the only one on my hall not to get a flu shot, everyone else did. They were all out sick except me! The fact is, flu shots are not for everyone.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’m allergic to shell fish, does this prevent me from getting a shot?
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
But doesn’t the mercuryin the shot contribute to increase risk of Alzheimers?
October 24th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I received the flu shot years ago. The first time I was fine. The following year I was a little sick. The third year, I ended up with a fever and my entire arm swelled up. The nurse told me I was allergic to something in the shot and recommended I never get one again. No one else in my family got sick after the shot, so it is possible that if you are sick after receiving the shot, you may be allergic to something in the shot.
October 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I have had a flu shot every year for the past 20 years and have never missed a day of work due to the flu.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I got the flu shot for the first time last year and was extremely ill twice after the shot. Both of course strains of flu that were not covered by the shot given. So there is no immunity here.
November 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
My husband has an egg related allergy. He once had a flu shot and was horribly sick afterward. To him, it was worse than the flu. Now they tell people with egg related allergies not to get shots. It doesn’t matter to him anyway because if he ever gets sick, he is over it in a matter of two or three days.
I get shots each year and am just fine. I think it is a matter of personal preference and shouldn’t really matter as long as you aren’t exposing someone with a weakened immune system to the flu.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I have been with my company for 3years. In those three years The compay pays half of the shot price. Around 50 or so people get it every year. Out of those 50 maybe 10 are sick from the flu.. Not I dont know of anyone that gets sick from it. Its not perfect.
If you keep your body healy you have a better chance not to get sick.