Hep B waiver? Sounds fishy

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My program has informed me that I must sign a statement that says that I refuse the Hep B series and I understand the dangers of not being immunized,one being my possible death, and that I take full responsibility for any complications from Hep B. If I don't sign this statement I will not be allowed to attend clinicals.

My problem with this action is that I have had two doses in the series and the very same form has a box to check on it that says I'm currently in the process of obtaining the series. I turned that form in yesterday with the box checked that says that I am in the process,but they say that I have not turned in my waiver(because I haven't checked the box that says I refused the Hep B). I'm sure my form will continue to be "lost" until I sign away thier responsibility.

Is the Hep B series that ineffective? Do I have anything to worry about?

What actions can I take that will hold them responsible?

My deadline is Thursday morning.

So you plan on getting the last shot, it just won't be done in time, and they won't let you start clinical unless you sign that you're refusing it.

Yup. Could be damned if you do, damned if you don't. Bummer. Watcha gonna do?

Heather

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Didn't they tell you about the 2 shot series? Recombivax HB by Merck is only 2 doses 4 months apart. If you had known about it you would be done by now.

I know this info is too late for you, but it may help someone who hasn't started the 3 shot series.

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We also had to sign the waiver if our series wasn't complete... It is pretty much just to let you know that you can still get Hep... we couldn't start clinicals without either A. The series complete or B. Started the series and signed the waiver... So I don't think it is a big deal... If you want to go to clinicals just sign it and when you get the last one the there will be no problems..

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Originally posted by nurs2b

We also had to sign the waiver if our series wasn't complete... It is pretty much just to let you know that you can still get Hep... we couldn't start clinicals without either A. The series complete or B. Started the series and signed the waiver... So I don't think it is a big deal... If you want to go to clinicals just sign it and when you get the last one the there will be no problems..

Good advice:)

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No answer to the concerns above but have a similar ? Have a family member who developed MS within months of the Hep B series, I will attend PA school shortly and have had all my vaccinations except for Hep B, I am told I will run into problems doing the clinicals ? will I be allowed to sign a waiver or will the hospitals refuse me ? any help, knowledge much appreciated.........

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No answer to the concerns above but have a similar ? Have a family member who developed MS within months of the Hep B series, I will attend PA school shortly and have had all my vaccinations except for Hep B, I am told I will run into problems doing the clinicals ? will I be allowed to sign a waiver or will the hospitals refuse me ? any help, knowledge much appreciated.........

Probably best to check with the school. The current thread is over 3 1/2 years old.

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

I have a comment about the Hep B series in general. I completed the 3 shot series, and turned that in to my school as required. However, this summer since I started a job as a tech at a local hosp, they drew a titre on me for Hep B. It was nowhere near high enough to be effective!

I now have had the first shot of the series again. July 1 will have the 2nd in the series, and so on. The rule by the CDC is that if your titre is not high enough after two rounds of the entire series, you are ineligible to retake the series, and must have LFT's run.

It is in everyone's best interest to have a titre drawn if they haven't already done so, but have completed the 3 shot series.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma.

My school requires that we sign the waiver also, even if we are in the middle of the Hep series. It very clearly states that I have declined to take the Hep B shots. I was concerned about this at first, but I got over it quick when I was told that my acceptance depended on me signing that.

We are not required to have the titres drawn afterwards, but the last poster definately has me thinking about it. For my own safety.

Your school should not be held responsible for you contracting the disease. You chose this course of study and you should have already investigated all of the risks I know this sounds heartless, and I'm not meaning to, but information is everything!

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Most places can't MAKE you get immunizations. You will, though, have to sign a waiver and they will not be held responsible if you do contract during clinicals, which I totall agree with. But, do check with your school.

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Let me be clear,

I am going through the Hep B series. I have finished the second and will have the third in November(within the 4 month window since the first) and then get the titre.

I do want to have the vaccine.

I am complying with the protocol, but my school is insisting that I sign that I refuse the vaccine , understand the risks of refusing the vaccine,and take full responsibility for my refusal.

It seems to relinquish the responsibility of the clinical site and my school for unsafe conditions that would expose me.

If I do not sign that I refuse the vaccine(which is a lie) then I cannot attend clinicals. I am on my own.

I think that you probably will just have to sign the statement.

Check the CDC pink book chapter on Hep B. Basically it says that you can accelerate the series (see page 221)

Dose 1.

Dose 2 4 weeks later

Dose 3 8 weeks later

(Dose 3 should be no sooner than 16 weeks from dose 1)

I would print off a copy of page 221 from the CDC pink book and take it to your clinic. Ask for the third dose early and be ready to show them that the series can be accelerated. Bring your updated shot card to your school and hopefully that will just put the issue to rest.

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i had to sign the waiver because i had not completed the last shot before clinicals, but i just completed the series so now next semester i can sign the form for completed series.

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I am surprised none of your colleges require you to have the Hep B series to attend. I thought a lot of schools were now requiring new students to have it along with the meningitis vaccine.

I found it interesting to hear that people can have the 3 Hepatitis B shots and still not have immunity according to a titer. I must have passed since I was never called back.

For those of you who are finding the shots expensive, have you looked into doing volunteer work at your local hospital? I know when I did volunteer work on Pedi and then in the ER (they really encouraged it when I worked in the ER) that it was provided to me free of charge just like the TB tests and flu shots.

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