Hepatitis B vaccination 2 shots?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am needing the vaccination for school and my new place of employment. I had the shots in 1999 before high school and it is on my record that I had two shots. I know that it is three now.... Was it 2 back then? My doctors office from that time has closed and the new company does not have any immunization records. I am going off a record that my high school sent me. I am having trouble figuring out if I had gotten the protection from those two shots since everyone says three now. Was anyone in the field at that time and know if it was two shots back around that time? Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't comment if it was 2 or 3 shots back then but your Dr's office should be able to do a blood test. They will check for titers I believe. I had it done last year and I was not immune so I needed to get all three shots.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it has always been a series of three shots. That immunization came out when I was in nursing school, in 1988 or 1989, and they made us begin the series in order to stay in school. I worked as a nurse assistant for a hospital, so employee health covered it. I still have the card, and I had to get three of those shots.

If I remember correctly, when I traveled overseas and had to get the Hepatitis A series, those were two shots, separated by six months. Maybe that is what you are referring to perhaps?

To figure out if you are protected, ask a helathcare provider to draw bloos for a hepatitis B titer and see if your levels are high enough to offer protection.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Your physician can order a titer if needed. Some employers will offer to do the titers (generally a hospital) and most healthcare entities require a titer as proof of immunity.

Here's information from the CDC about the vaccine: CDC DVH - Hepatitis B FAQs for the Public

Apparently it can be 3 or 4 shots, but doesn't seem to have been 2. The good news from the FAQ page linked above:

"What should be done if Hepatitis B vaccine series was not completed? Talk to your health professional to resume the vaccine series as soon as possible. The series does not need to be restarted."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone. It was definitely hepatitis B I got. I have it on my record but only 2 shots are listed. I can't do the titers bc I spent a fortune getting a physical ($600) just so I could get this job and I can't go back (no insurance) I will still not be getting insurance through this job either. They do offer the vaccine at no cost but I don't want to get it unless I need it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got the series twice. I had it as a teenager (early 90's, and it was 3 shots) and my recent titres showed no immunity so got the full 3 shot series again for free from work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

I had the series in 1996 and it was definitely 3 shots then.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I had the series in 1996 and it was definitely 3 shots then.

Same here. 3 in 1996.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had the same problem. I had my new dr take blood test (titers) to say If I was immune or not. But I have bad luck and I wasn't immune. So I had to do another round of 3 Hep B shots. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I took the series (of three) back in 1991 when it wasn't required just recommended and I paid for it all on my own, no insurance. When I got my first job (in 1993), they tested my titers, found it had been ineffective and I got the whole series (of three) again. Thankfully the hospital picked up the bill on that one and the follow up titers showed immunity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I had the same problem. I had my new dr take blood test (titers) to say If I was immune or not. But I have bad luck and I wasn't immune. So I had to do another round of 3 Hep B shots. :(

I don't show any immunity after the second series either. Apparently some people never convert, and I was told that the CDC only recommends two series of the Hep B and after that they don't recommend additional attempts. My doc was also telling me that there is some speculation that we've been looking in the wrong place for immunity and that it's stored on T cells instead of B cells (or vice versa? I'm weak on immunity lol).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks everyone. It was definitely hepatitis B I got. I have it on my record but only 2 shots are listed. I can't do the titers bc I spent a fortune getting a physical ($600) just so I could get this job and I can't go back (no insurance) I will still not be getting insurance through this job either. They do offer the vaccine at no cost but I don't want to get it unless I need it.

I got the series in 1983 when I was still breastfeeding my youngest. I asked the pediatrician whether it was OK, and he said, "It wil be better for the baby if his mother doesn't get hepatitis." ;)

Get it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment