Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but I have weeded out ones before matching who say they "don't believe in it"....

See, I am all for vaccinations. Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis A&B, Chickenpox (too old for HPV)... but the flu? The flu shot is pretty much guessing which strain(s) of the flu they think will hit hardest in the upcoming flu season (especially with the trivalent vaccine). We are TTC so we are vaccinating this year and we vaccinate with an infant in the home but other than that? While we won't match with an AP who didn't get vaccinated at all we are fine with not getting the flu shot.

While the flu shot is something of a guess, it still decreases the symptoms and length of the flu if you do get sick. Not only that, there is that whole herd immunity issue. The more people who have been vaccinated, the less likely there is to be a serious out break of the flu.

The flu kills every year. Why not get a quick shot and decrease your and your communities likelihood of suffering a illness that can cause death?

No, dumb dumb.

1. She said she’d do it when she matched
2. If she gets the flu she can die
3. If she gives the flu to kids at the park or AP friends’ babies who can’t be vaccinated... they can die.

Why not at least try to prevent flu? It’s not 100% effective but if it’s even somewhat helpful I’m all for it. I hate being sick and I love my family and don’t want them to die.

Her choice. If you and your kids are getting a flu shot you have nothing to worry about right

15:24 - can you try to get her the mist?

So our current AP is refusing a flu shot and we DO discuss this in matching that we require it. She told me she's terrified of needles and is sorry but she won't do it. I am pretty mad but she's a good Au Pair overall so I can't really justify rematching over this. On the other hand, healthy people including children die of the flu every year. And I would feel terrible if our AP didn't get a shot and ended up hospitalized or dead or passed along the bug to a friend who cares for kids too young to vaccinate. Grrrr...

I screen for people who believe in science. Our kid has asthma; mandatory flu shot is part of the job requirements (we pay for it).

For non flu shot families, you are selfish.

Anonymous wrote:Slight OT, but does anyone know if the au pair insurance covers flu shots?

It didn't for ours. I gave our AP $25 to get one at Target.

Slight OT, but does anyone know if the au pair insurance covers flu shots?

We are a hardliner vaccination family. They have to be fully vaccinated before they arrive and agree to a flu shot. Husband is from Europe FWIW.

Anonymous wrote:but I have weeded out ones before matching who say they "don't believe in it"....

See, I am all for vaccinations. Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis A&B, Chickenpox (too old for HPV)... but the flu? The flu shot is pretty much guessing which strain(s) of the flu they think will hit hardest in the upcoming flu season (especially with the trivalent vaccine). We are TTC so we are vaccinating this year and we vaccinate with an infant in the home but other than that? While we won't match with an AP who didn't get vaccinated at all we are fine with not getting the flu shot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't force her to take it. I would have refused.
You will probably reply that you would rematch if the AP refuses.

My body, my choice.

I know this is meant to be an inflammatory post, but there is some truth to it. If getting a flu shot/Tdap or anything else important to you, please mention at when you interview. We have always just sent our APs to a CVS and gave them $25 for the flu shot.

New poster - we do mention it in interview and honestly turned down a candidate who couldn't provide full vax records (she had moved when she was little ... we were expecting a baby and the I couldn't require her to get a full slate, so it was just too much. Our school-age kids have vaccines, so I wouldn't have been concerned about her working with them.).
Also for those who say it's NBD, our elementary is in the midst of an outbreak. It happens.

Another family here that does not do flu shots. No way, no how.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this drives me bonkers too. I think the US has a reputation for handing out antibiotics like candy. In my adult life I’ve gotten antibiotics twice: mastitis after my daughter was born and an ear infection that ruptured my ear drum. Have NEVER been offered antibiotics for any other illnesses!

I’ve had antibiotics for several things (two abscesses teeth, ear infection, etc.) and turned them down for others. As long as it’s a bacterial infection, the patient takes the medicine as directed and there’s a significant difference in prognosis with and without antibiotics, I’m all for prescribing them. If all three aren’t true, it’s just allowing the bacteria to gain immunity that much sooner.

Yes, this drives me bonkers too. I think the US has a reputation for handing out antibiotics like candy. In my adult life I’ve gotten antibiotics twice: mastitis after my daughter was born and an ear infection that ruptured my ear drum. Have NEVER been offered antibiotics for any other illnesses!

Flu shots are uncommon in European countries, even amongst medical professionals. If I needed a caregiver to get one, for young children or immune-weakened family, then I would’ve made it clear in the matching process. None of my APs we’re willing to get a flu shot, btw.
I had a bigger issue with an AP who suffered from a bad sore throast during strep season, and the doctor prescribed antibiotics. Her mom was visiting at the time, and refused to allow her to take the meds because she thought they were harmful. Her excuse- “we don’t have strep throat in Denmark.”