Registered nurse Anki Groening, of Bega, has chosen to leave her profession rather than receive an annual flu vaccination. Anki Groening, of Bega, has worked as a registered nurse for 10 years, first as a midwife and, for the past three years, in aged care at a Bega facility. She says that for her, the risks associated with getting the flu shot every year far outweigh the benefits. “I had a round of vaccinations to get up-to-date when I completed my nursing degree and had an immediate reaction,” she explains. “I was in bed for six weeks and had unexplained arthritis for two years afterwards. “When I went to the doctor, she said she’d never seen such high levels of autoimmune indicators.” Despite her reaction, Anki tried immunisation one more time while preparing to take a midwifery job in the Solomon Islands. Again, she was seriously ill. “I gave my boss [at the Bega aged care facility] my medical records and said that getting the shot every year to continue working there would jeopardise my health. “I let them decide, but it’s out of their hands, they have to follow government rules.”
