vaccines

Captain Bob, I first wrote you a week ago asking for your information on the psychological test. I passed and all I have to do is pass my medical and I have the job. I need some help on one problem. The City wants me to get six vaccinations before I start the academy. I would not be writing you if I did not feel strongly against getting these immunizations. This State law states that for personal, religious, or philosophical differences a person can opt out. I do not want to upset the powers that be, but I do not want these vaccines. I'm not trying to be a punk kid on this one. Any advice would be much appreciated.

"Captain Bob's Reply:

What are the vaccinations? Under what grounds would you refuse them?

The city probably wants you to get them because of the exposure and liability. You risk big problems if you refuse. We haven't even hired this guy yet and he's already giving us problems.

You wrote:

Captain Bob, the vaccinations are Hepatitis A 1st and 2nd shot, Hepatitis B 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shot, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella adult booster, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, and Tuberculosis.

The grounds that I would refuse them on would be my personal, religious, and philosophical convictions against these vaccinations according to State law. I would sign a waiver that states that The City is not liable if I come in contact with these diseases. Do you know if there is any way I could find out if other firefighters have had similar cases? What I don't want to happen obviously is to handle this in a way that would upset the department. Do you think there is a way to do this instead of just getting the shots? Thanks for all the help.

"Captain Bob's Reply:

I understand and honor your beliefs and your rights. Just one question? How bad do you want this job? There is an army who would take your place. How do you want it? You turn down the vaccinations, they might not offer you the job. You apply to another department and in the oral try to explain why you didn't get the previous job. You will open a can of worms you will never be able to close.

Don't be stupid! You're not even hired and you're giving them trouble. They won't stand for it! You will be a marked man before you walk into the academy. Trust me.

The vaccinations you list are to protect you from the heavy exposure we get to these diseases. Have you seen people with these infections. It's not pretty.

I know what I've said here is tough. But, I know you wanted the truth.

This might also help:

Author: me (fyremedic45@hotmail.com)

Subject: Vaccines

That is a that is a tough question on how bad do you

want it.... I personally don't believe in vaccines and

have read heavily into the subject, and believe it or

not they are not the best things for you. We can go

round and around on this and the usual response is

"well I got vaccinated and I'm ok". but what people

don't know or realize is that over 100,000 people a

year are injured from vaccines to the point of death.

The government has a fund especially for that

purpose to pay people that sue from being injured

from vaccines and this has been funded since 1987. I

know a medic who was fine until he started the Hep

B vaccine - he contracted the disease from that and

died. I know of a perfectly healthy 2 year old with no

problems, got vaccinated and was dead within 1

week. My son after his first 2 vaccine shots had

started to get real bad ear infections, croup and was

sick more often. His last vaccine was 5 years ago

and he is fine and only catches the usual cold every

now and then. Look at the disease that they vaccine

for and look into who really is at risk catching these

diseases. Congress passed into affect a bill 6 years

ago that there are 3 ways you can go without

vaccines, religious, personal and medical reasons

because they can not force you to inject something

into your body. check out the following web sites

with an open mind and you might reevaluate you

views on vaccines

http://www.odomnet.com/vaccines

http://www.unidial.com/~metroprint

Hope this helps.

More:

I can't tell you for sure how Departments actually look at this issue, but I can tell you what they are required to do according to OSHA regs. If you are going to be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM), the employer has to make HBV vaccinations available to you at no charge. You can decline the vaccination but you will be required to sign a written declination statement (no big deal). If you change your mind at a future date and there is still the potential for exposure, the employer would still have to make the vaccination available and foot the bill. I'm sure you have valid reasons why you would not want to undergo the vaccination series, but my feeling is that it is a good idea. One problem, of course, is that Hep C is actually becoming more common and as of yet there is no vaccine for it.

How do you want it? You can do hard time or you can do easy time; the choice is yours.

Getting the job of your dreams is like winning the lottery!

Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge from the FREE "101 Inside Secrets to Get A Badge" on our web site.

How would you like to get ahead of the curve with the cutting edge interview skills to get that badge? Then you want to sign up to receive Fire "Captain Bob's" exclusive information rich FREE e-mail FireZine Newsletter by clicking here:

http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm

"Captain Bob"

Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question

Top of Page

Home

Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the books "Eat Stress For Breakfast" ISBN 09657620-3-3, "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.

E-mail: captbob@verio.com Web site: www.eatstress.com