Some healthcare workers refuse to take COVID-19 vaccine, even with priority access

[FelineOverlord]

Link to tweet

[SoCalNative]

1. Then they should be relieved of duty

until they come to their senses. If you work in healthcare, ALL vaccines should be required. Period.

[yardwork]

2. I feel that the vaccine should be a mandatory part of job requirements.

This is a pandemic that has killed 300,000 Americans, with record numbers of infected and dead every day. Health care workers should be required to get the vaccine.

[LisaL]

6. The vaccine is under emergency authorization.

It can't be made mandatory.

[RobinA]

24. You Beat Me

to it. I work in healthcare and have had the first shot. Yes, some people have refused. I thought I would refuse earlier in the year, but I am so sick of this damn thing and worrying about infecting others, AND I want to travel as soon as possible, I decided to get the damn thing, caution be damned. Under nonpandemic situations, I probably wouldn't have.

[Progressive dog]

3. They should be suspended from their jobs

without pay unless they are vaccinated. If they are that uncaring and ignorant, they should not be allowed any where near a health care facility.

[Merlot]

11. The shortage / burn out of medical professionals makes this not doable

[Progressive dog]

14. You are right,

but there has to be some penalty for continuing to risk exposing patients to the disease. Bad reviews from their superiors (which they deserve) might cause some to get the vaccine.

[USALiberal]

4. Fire them! Nt

[Ohiogal]

5. What is their reasoning, I wonder?

“I am so delusional I think it’s all a hoax perpetuated by Democrats to make Trump look bad”?
“I haven’t gotten a flu shot in 20 years and never got the flu”?
“I simply don’t care if I infect fragile people and make them die”?
“The vaccine makes you sterile”?
“It’s against my religion”?

???

[Ms. Toad]

13. How about -

Brand new vaccine
Using a mechanism never used before in a vaccine
Offered under emergengy conditions (i.e. without the usual more complete test data safeguards)
Zero evidence of potential long-term consequences (because it is impossible to test longer than a few months - and - this mechanism has never been used before in vaccines so we cannot even extrapolate from long-term consequences associated with other similar vaccines)

I plan on taking it, although I'm not rushing to be first in line, but rational people who respect science could reach a different conclusion.

[Ohiogal]

15. I understand.

But we’re talking about those who may be in close contact with fragile or vulnerable patients every day. I wouldn’t want my elderly mother being taken care of by someone who refused the vaccine and who is in close contact with other people throughout the day. (hypothetically)

[LisaL]

18. Still doesn't make you can make a vaccine mandatory.

It's under emergency authorization.

[Ohiogal]

20. No, and I get that it can't be.

But those who refuse it and take care of vulnerable people are putting others at risk.

[MichMan]

42. Since it is an emergency, is exactly why it should be mandatory

Seems like if people can be ordered to stay at home, medical procedures postponed, and businesses and schools can be ordered to be shut down, due to the pandemic being an emergency, that the government should be able to force people to get vaccinations.

[Ms. Toad]

22. So you would insist that those forced to risk their lives on a daily basis

to care for the rest of us also accept what is, realistically, an additional risk?

BTW, this is not thoeretical for me. On 12/3 I was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma (a rare, aggressive cancer), and have had 3 surgeries (and several mandatory medical visits) since then, with many more in my near future. I trust my care providers to take proper precautions to protect themselves and me. I hope they choose to be vaccinated early. But there are enough legitimate concerns, and unknowns, that I am not willing to make that decision for them.

[Ohiogal]

28. Where did I say that I would insist anyone take it?

I would PREFER any one taking care of a vulnerable loved one would take it, but I understand that it cannot be made mandatory as long as it’s still under emergency authorization only!

I wish you nothing but the best during this difficult time. I fought cancer too, and had 4 surgeries related to it, that was 12 years ago....and that was hard enough without worrying about being exposed to Covid. I can’t imagine being faced with all of it during these recent times.

[Ms. Toad]

33. You suggested their reasoning was delusional -

and that you don't want someone taking care of your elderly mother, if it they had refused vaccination. That sounded a wee bit stronger than just a preference in the context of the tone of this thread. (The thread is pretty much the typical condemnation of anyone not taking the vaccine - suggesting they should lose their job if they refuse - without much recognition that this is a very different situation.)

Thanks as to cancer. This is my second bout - I had breast cancer in 2016. Since breast cancer is a relatively common and benign disease in my family, it didn't worry me too much (I'm the 5th in 4 generations - all of whom are either still living, or died decades after diagnosis with, but not from, cancer.) This one is different - more aggressive, rare enough that literature is inconclusive about standard of care, making it much harder to cope wiith.

All I have to say is that Trump better not run in 2024. I can't take another cancer diagnosis that coincides with another Trump run for office.

[Merlot]

16. Everythig is a risk - getting covid vs getting a side/long term effect

I'm at the bottom of the list to get the vaccine and am ok with waiting, but I will get it.

[Ms. Toad]

23. Correct - and not everyone weighing two risks will make identical decisions.

This is not like any vaccine ever used before. COVID is unlike any virus we have encountered before. Both pose unknown risks - so whichever choice we make, we are living with uncertainty. Which type of uncertainty is, from my perspective, a very personal choice.

[RobinA]

25. Oh, Holy H$ll

I never even thought of the mechanism itself!!! Oh, I would have gotten it anyway. Ever since I started flying in planes, I've been a daredevil.

[Ms. Toad]

30. I'll almost certainly get it, too -

but it is brand new, and I don't blame people for being cautious.

[cwydro]

36. Well, there is one DUer who has been posting a lot about this from the view of African-Americans.

Many of whom are reluctant to trust this vaccine.

It seems likely that many of those in that 20 to 40% may be in that category.

[Initech]

7. Then they should lose their jobs.

Anti-vaccine ignorance should have zero place in the health care industry. Especially during a raging pandemic.

[Cbus Girl]

8. I'm getting mine this Saturday!

I work for a hospital and was surprised to find that C-19 vaccination is voluntary but the annual flu shot is required unless we have a medical excuse. Don’t tell me COVID-19 has not been politicalized.

[LisaL]

9. Covid vaccine is under emergency authorization from FDA. Thus it can not be required.

NT

[Delphinus]

31. Welcome to DU!

Thanks for your work.

[jmbar2]

12. Put them in the highest risk jobs

Utilize their imaginary immunity to provide relief to the vaccinated medical personnel.

[AnyFunctioningAdult]

17. I work in health care

And front line workers in my company have been given this priority access as well. It was reported that so far a MAJORITY of them have refused to get the vaccine.

[LisaL]

19. More vaccine left for those without priority access.

If those in healthcare profession refuse to take it, move on to other groups.

[FloridaBlues]

21. Unfortunately those of us nurse's who want it can't get it because Gov

Idiot Desantis opened up for people 65 and older before health care workers could get it and of course they ran out in few hours. Will have to wait until mid January if our area is lucky. Meanwhile we are still exposed taking care of patients.
There were healthcare people who waited over 7 hours and still couldn't get it

[BlueIdaho]

26. "Roughly 20 - 40 percent"...

That right there is some shit reporting. No - let me take that back, that is some shit propaganda.

[LovingA2andMI]

37. That's a HUGE Variance

Which states the "reporter" have no FREAKING IDEA what they are writing about or FAILED to do the proper research to get near the real number.

Yet, it creates shares and clickbait. #America2020 #America2021

[LeftInTX]

49. It does sounds like clickbait

I bet many of those that aren't have not had the time/access or not working at the present (or they work PRN/temporary etc)

Nursing home employees are not receiving their vaccine at place of employment, also those who are employed at clinics/doctors offices etc etc. They have to go to a local pharmacy and schedule an appointment. Hospital employees receive their vaccines at their work.

I don't think their is widespread avoidance of the vaccine...I think some are not getting the vaccine for the same reason that they don't vote. It is not convenient for them.

[ismnotwasm]

27. Get mine on the 5th.

I can hardly WAIT

[world wide wally]

32. I know someone who won't get the vaccine because they use stem cells to create it.

Just sayin'

[LisaL]

35. That someone is uninformed.

mRNA vaccines are synthetic, they are not made from stem cells.
There are some vaccines that use cell lines, but not Moderna or Pfizer.

"The mRNA is synthetically created in a lab and therefore does not rely on research cell lines for mass production of vaccines."

https://ksltv.com/451339/are-fetal-cell-lines-used-in-the-covid-19-vaccine-ksl-investigates/?

[world wide wally]

38. Thanks for that info.

Happy New Year!

[DeminPennswoods]

34. Right now, the vaccine isn't mandatory, but at some point

it will be.

[LovingA2andMI]

39. And that won't solve the problem....

Sorry! People need to be INFORMED of the components of the mRNA vaccines. That is a good start as information is powerful to make a decision.

The vaccines need to be FULLY FDA approved if any type of "mandatory compliance" could take place. Why? Because if what is claimed by the manufacturers does not manifest over time, there could be a OPTION to seek remedy in the Courts.

Until all of this takes place -- a full FDA Authorization that is not just Emergency Use Authorization as it is NOW - then the vaccine should not be mandatoried and there is likely to be a legal fight, if it is.

[mucifer]

40. I got my vaccine. But, vaccines don't stop the spread. You still wear all your PPE and

need to stay home. It's more that less of us will end up in the hospital and die from it.

So it's not about stopping the spread as much as keeping the people who get vaccinated out of the hospital.

[ProfessorGAC]

41. Not Exactly

The mechanism of the vaccine involves both generating antibodies and capping the reactive site on the virus. (The proposed mechanism of the antibodies is the same.
It caps the ACE attack spot so the virus can no longer replicate.
The vaccine will slow the spread as the viral load of those infected, but vaccinated, reduces dramatically, in some cases approaching zero.
Hence, those mildly infected would exhale a lower load.
As likely 75+% of us have been at least very mildly exposed, but many too low to generate antibodies, it suggests that for the greater population, a minimum viral load is required for infection.
If vaccinated people shed substantially less virus, that reduced viral load would result in a lower rate of transmission.
As to still taking precautions, I buy that. But, vaccines do help reduce spread. Nowhere near enough people vaccinated yet to matter, but we'll get there.

[mucifer]

43. Thanks. Got a question for you Professor:

I have had a vaccine and my best friend had a vaccine. Do you think a few weeks after we have had our second vaccines we could eat together in the same indoor room?

I know we have a few weeks to think about this. But, it would be nice to hang out with others who have been vaccinated. I asked the person who gave me the vaccination and she said yes. But, I know we can carry Covid after the vaccines.

[ProfessorGAC]

45. Above My Pay Grade

I have an opinion, but I can't give medical advice.
Strictly An Opinion!
If it's possible to keep a reasonable distance, the whole time, I'd do it. That said, I'd wear a mask in the bathroom.
My bathroom has no powered ventilation. At the risk of being indelicate, everybody goes to the exact same spot in the bathroom.
I know we're really(!) early in this phase, but the point of vaccines is to protect us & gradually get back to as close to normal as possible.
Again, just a personal opinion.

[mucifer]

46. Thanks just asking your opinion. I got weeks to think about it and talk with MDs on our team

[xmas74]

44. Only 25% in my job were vaccinated.

They refuse to accept that it's real, even with patient deaths all around us. Several think it can't harm them.

[marie999]

47. I don't blame anyone for refusing to take a vaccine that has not been fully tested.

Neither my husband nor I will not take any vaccine that has not been in wide use for less than a year. We live alone never have anyone in our house or visit anyone and only shop at a small grocery store in our town. The VA is leaving it up to the veterans on whether or not to take the vaccine.