A pregnant nurse who refused to get the flu shot has been fired by her employer. According to an article in the Huffington Post, Pennsylvania-based Dreonna Breton was three months pregnant when she told Horizons Healthcare Services that she would not submit to their mandatory flu vaccine.
Breton cited concerns about complicating her pregnancy, as she had previously suffered several miscarriages.
"I'm a healthy person," she said. "I take care of my body. For me, the potential risk was not worth it. I'm not gonna be the one percent of people that has a problem."
However, her rationale did not prove sufficient for Horizons, whose mandate is to protect patients and the community from "getting this potentially serious infection."
Breton stressed that not enough was known about the potential risks of the flu vaccine, though health advisers claim she's subjecting herself to a much greater risk if she does contract the flu.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes such vaccines as an "essential element of prenatal care," and with their altered immune systems, pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the flu.
Should Breton have been exempt from Horizon's policy?
Should you get the flu vaccine? See what our Yummy doctor has to say.
Printer-friendly version