Nanny Loses Baby Sitting Job for Not Having Flu Shot

Did You Get Your Flu Shot Yet?
By Maria Lopez, Nanny Miami, FL

If you work as a nanny, au pair, or babysitter your employer might ask you to get a flu shot in order to work with their children, or you may even lose a job opportunity if you haven’t had the flu shot. I know, because it happened to me.

I work as a full-time nanny but I also have a regular weekend babysitting job. I babysit for a seven-month old baby at least every other weekend. The mother called me this week asking if I had the flu shot yet.

The mother told me that their pediatrician warned that the flu vaccine takes about two-weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.

Plus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, “Out-of-home caregivers (nannies, daycare providers, etc.) of children younger than 5-years-old should get a flu vaccine.”

Therefore, she asked that I not babysit her daughter until two-weeks after I get the flu shot.

Has a parent asked if you have had the flu shot or asked you to get the flu shot?