My husband is in a long term care nursing home and is on medicaid. Vaccinations of all types are mandatory at the nursing home. My husband and I have both medical and religious reasons to accepting the Covid 19 vaccines. And not to mention, What about those who live in NH that have no family to advocate for them. What can they do? I cannot understand why, no-one is talking about this. I bring this issue up and most don't even see why we are concerned about the vaccine. From what info I have researched, I have no legal recourse to this issue. The only thing I know at the moment is that if push comes to shove I may have to bring him home. I would like to hear from like minded people only. If you disagree, you have that right. Simply move on to another post.
OZ is now providing free vaccine to people over 65 who have had chicken pox (almost everyone) but not shingles. There was a previous vaccine that was not totally effective, but the new one has a good reputation. I’ve had it, but DH was ineligible because he had already had a major episode that should already have provided immunity. Yours, Margaret
Thanks for the feedback to my comment about shingles.
I got my shingles vaccine at my last doctor’s appointment.
I also had my labs done that day. I was talking to the lab technician about getting my shingles vaccine.
She said she had shingles twice and was looking forward to getting her vaccine. I asked her why she didn’t get it before?
She said that she couldn’t because she is 49 years old and they won’t give the vaccine until age 50.
She said the first time she got shingles was near her hip and the next time was near her eye.
Shingles is very painful. I feel for people who get it.
Source: Reuters fact check.
I am sorry that this is causing you so much distress. Could you perhaps have the vaccine in your upper arm, instead of in your right hand? I’m not sure that it will leave a mark at all, so you may be OK. Believe in the love of Christ, which will surely overcome Satan.
Margaret, how is your EYE? Back in the day my partner had a retinal detachment and surgery and had to lay on his stomach for weeks after; we had even a special chair for when he could be up. It was a nightmare. Not the surgery, but the afterstuff. I am relieved you didn't have to go through all that!
Some people do get Covid-19 more than once, so your mom can get the vaccine as a precaution.
My husband had shingles not long ago. His doctor told him to get the shingles vaccine because some people get shingles more than once too.
I don't know, but it's possible that the shingles vaccine does something to repress them I suppose? I'd query that point with the doctor, actually, because otherwise what's the idea? He's already been inoculated, accidentally!
Good ol' NHS - here's (part of) what they say about it:
"It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles. The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks."
I think that I understand your concerns.
I do not have an answer for you, let me go ask my husband.
I feel as you do. Part of the fear is that this vaccine was produced so quickly compared to others so many are questioning it’s effectiveness.
Years from now people will have a different perspective.
How wonderful that you have a doctor in your family to discuss these issues with.
I love reading your sensible post.
Take care.
Eeyore, I am a staunch Christian--and I truly believe that the scientists who have created the vaccines have been blessed and guided by a loving God. Reigious people all over the world have prayed and fasted for these people.
Saying this is a hot topic among Christians--I beg to disagree. Your comments are actually the FIRST I have heard at all. Most people want this DONE!
Yes, this vaccine has been fast tracked like nothing before. And thank GOD for that. BTW, my SIL did his PhD partially in virology. I asked him about the COVID vax and he laughed and said "I can TELL you about it, but I can't UNDERSTAND it for you". In essence, 99.99% of the world cannot comprehend the science behind it.
Salk, Fleming, Pastuer, Curie--all scientists who worked to make the world a safer and better place. No doubt had their opponents.
You think people didn't doubt Sir Alexander's discovery of penicillin?
You have the absolute right to refuse the vaccine. But you don't have the right to choose for ME whether I get it--and you may very likely not get the right to choose for your DH.
I used to say this to my kids: "Your 'right' to swing your arms about wildly ends at the tip of my nose."
I adore your instructions to the kids!
If you are here to ask a question re your husband and his future as it involves Covid-19, then the simple answer is that every facility, city, county, state and country can and will make it's rules as regards our current virus.
If you don't wish to follow their rules, and choose instead to bring your DH home, them then we will be here to support your doing that.
That's the easy answer.
If you are here to argue religion or to preach the existence of a God as you understand him or her to be, then you are likely on the wrong forum IMHO (although there are, in "Discussions" below several lovely threads created by those who are practicing a religion; you may enjoy them,and I would think would be very welcome there.).
Many of us are not religious at all, some of us--I include myself--don't believe in a god or an afterlife of any kind and never did; we think it is nonsense. Not a choice of ours, just a lack of belief. Some of us are of differing religions from yours and subscribe to different Gods and/or religious texts. Goodness, we may even have a few Wiccans, I am told. I am certain THOSE people think their religion and their book is the "right" one, and yours is not.
The point is that this really isn't a Forum created for the discussion of politics or religion. Reason being that things tend often to go all divisive bickering and anger when EITHER politics OR religion are argued, and while just a few of us who enjoy the occ. Rabbinical argument, most of us don't; no minds are changed. We are all good people here, and most would give you the proverbial shirt off his or her back were you in trouble.
I've seen several posts of yours this very day offering wonderful advice as regards care for our elders. It's my hope you'll continue to give that good advice as regards AgingCare.
Variety is the spice of life. There is room for everyone. Live and let live is my motto!
Who cares what people believe? I don’t care who or what people believe or not believe in as long as they don’t try to force others to follow their protocol. We live in America!
Thanks for pointing out there are religious posts where the OP would find likeminded posters.
If the facility or Medicaid has requirements to take the vax, ready yourself and home for him to become your 24/7 responsibility.
Is there a religious or political or personal sense of responsibility to others?
I am sure that hubs had to have a chest xray an update a whole battery of immunizations before being admitted to NH. Why would covid vaccine be different?
If people are in a group setting it is best to get the vaccine to avoid the spread at school, work, especially frontline workers, facilities, etc.
Based upon your interpretation of the Bible, you have the choice for vaccination or not. The problem with interpretation is, I am assuming, you are dealing with an English translation rather than actual text. You know that telephone game from Girl Scouts.
You have the choice to vaccinate or not. Your right to such freedoms should not infringe on other people's choices. There are consequences to all decisions. If you and your husband decide to bring him home rather than get a vaccine, best of luck.
Love your answer! Sums it up very well.
Anyhoo.. if you don't want a vaccine, you should have the right to refuse in my opinion. If you understand the risk & accept it. If your DH cannot but you are MPOA, then same.
I can predict a future when the local hardware requires a mask & proof of vaccine to enter. As a private store they can add whatever rules they like - or can they?
It's going to be one huge ball of stress to work out the legal / religious / ethics of it.
That is part of being human! Otherwise it is all survival of the fittist or at God's will.
I don’t know your age. I am in my 60’s. We got the polio vaccine as a kid. We also go the German measles vaccine.
Now we have a vaccine for mumps, chicken pox and shingles. Thank God we do!
Polio was awful! Thank God that the vaccine for polio was created.
Don’t you think people will look at the COVID-19 vaccine in the same way?
Maybe not everyone. Maybe not at first. Eventually I think most people will be grateful for the vaccine.
Why don’t you want your husband to have it?
Can you refuse it?
https://babylonbee.com/news/researchers-delay-new-vaccine-until-they-figure-out-how-to-make-it-cause-autism
Sure there will be side effects of some sort. But I plan to get the vaccine nonetheless. What do I have to lose? Getting Covid vs not or getting a less severe case and developing antibodies against it? I am not going to live in fear.
Respectfully I don’t believe in folks who read the Bible and then cite their interpretation on me or any of us. No one can predict the end of days. My faith doesn’t work that way. God gives us free will to either accept the science or not. It’s your choice not to but it’s hard for me to fantom the Bible telling me not to.
Of course you believe what you want to believe.
I understand putting your faith in God. I believe God is great and knows what He is doing. But I also believe in science. I guess that is the nurse in me. I’ve seen God save many sick people via science.
I will be first in any line for the vaccine, once approved. At 78 I now miss my bus rides more than I can tell you. And my junk shopping! Is there a chance of a side effect? Oh, of course. There's a chance of a side effect if I walk down my stairs today, given these knees. I will let you know when I get it and you can see if I survive it. I did great with the regular flu vaccine this year. Always do. But of course, as an atheist, it may not affect me in quite the same way.
Just like the Flu shot. Thats hit and miss. Its what strains they "think" will be around that season. Last year that didn't work. Another strain presented itself. My DH got sick everytime he got the shot.
Sorry, have no answers for you. I don't know how any facility can give u a shot for anything without written permission. I think I had to give it for my Mom to get a flu shot at the NH. She never got them before but I didn't want to take the chance of her contracting it.
I cannot imagine the challenges of trying to staff a NH that ignores taking precautions that can contain Covid. Just who will work there?
If you want state support.... like you want Medicaid to pay for his room & board ..... you’re required to be in compliance whether it’s doing a copay of income to the facility each month or a flu shot.
Medicaid for kids - CHIP - already has vaccine compliance as part of their requirements. States that have highest CHIP # enrolled also have highest vaccination rates (like Mississippi) and they have the lowest rates of childhood diseases outbreaks. The system is set up for vaccine compliance within Medicaid & data shows benefits of the requirements. I’m sure there are be those that file for a waiver for CHIP but kids tend to age out of getting the vaccine related diseases. This isn’t the case for Covid & those over 70..... you age into being Covid +.
& as an aside on this issue, Quantas Airlines will be REQUIRING proof of Covid vaccination in order to fly within their systems.
Not negative Covid test but show you got 1 of the approved vaccines.
Now you may be all “why should I care” well imho it will matter. Cause rest of the world is enforcing rules to keep the pandemic from tanking their health, happiness and economy any further than it already has.
You cannot be forced to get a vaccine. But don’t expect empathy.
I have followed this issue very VERY closely, and I am a woman of Faith. I have seen ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about religious objections to this vaccine, or have I seen any references from legitimate Faith based sources about objections of any kind to legitimate medical care directed towards dealing with the tragic consequences of this horrifying virus.
You Will of course need to devote serious time in prayer and reflection to this before you make a final decision. Since he is a Medicaid client, you are likely to be required to meet the terms of Medicaid rules for care.
My LO, also a woman of deep Faith, has recovered once from Covid at age 92, and may be experiencing symptoms of the disease a second time. I would be sure in my heart that any religion that didn’t protect her from continuing sickness was NOT a TRUE FAITH.
Let your heart be open and seek the TRUTH. This is a NOVEL VIRUS, and ways of addressing it must consider modern science AND BELIEVERS’ FAITH
I will hold your concerns in my daily prayer for those who suffer..
I personally don’t think anyone can force you to get any vaccine. In making that decision however, in this Covid pandemic you’ll have to make the decision to keep him there or take him home. The LTC facility has to take into account everyone’s well being.
This pandemic has made many of us realize we are part of a bigger picture and that our actions can adversely affect others. Many of us must sacrifice for the common good of all during this awful time.
Maybe that’s the one good thing that will come out of this horrible situation. People will have less tunnel vision & take note of the needs of others.
Facilities have to to look at the big picture. If one lives there then one must follow protocols regarding vaccines.
I f you feel capable of bringing him.home and managing his health care with help then do so.