Immunizations

[mvanz9999]

My school (master's level) is asking for proof of immunization records (measles, mumps, rubella and tetorifice). Where am I supposed to find these. After 37 years, any childhood doctors have long closed their offices.

I think this is strange, considering I'd not have made it through grade school without getting these.

They specifically put "blood titer not acceptable". Which I find even stranger.

[mvanz9999, RN]

I would start with mom and dad.

Then I would ask who the ped was and go there.

Then I would just go to the family doc and get the shots.

I do think it's crap they don't accept titers. I find it even crappier that they require immunizations from an adult.

Well, I'll check with them, but they are currently out of state for a couple weeks on vacation.

My pediatrician passed away years ago and the office has been closed.

I didn't realize that NOT getting vaccinations was actually possible. Since my parents are both medical professionals, I did get immunized against everything. I just don't particularly enjoy the idea of make appt. after appt. to get shots and boosters, since my job doesn't lend itself well to taking lots of time off.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Well, I'll check with them, but they are currently out of state for a couple weeks on vacation.

My pediatrician passed away years ago and the office has been closed.

I didn't realize that NOT getting vaccinations was actually possible. Since my parents are both medical professionals, I did get immunized against everything. I just don't particularly enjoy the idea of make appt. after appt. to get shots and boosters, since my job doesn't lend itself well to taking lots of time off.

Can you call your mom to ask her if she knows whether they are at home? This way if she says she does not have them you know to start working towards getting them. Unfortunately it will take a couple of visits since some require multiple shots at set intervals apart.

Do you have a deadline? If so you might want to start getting some of the shots out of the way as you can...just in case you don't have the records.

A lot of people don't realize that immunizations are not required for public schooling. There are philosophical, medical and religious exemptions. Each state excepts a variety of the above. Some only accept religious and medication while others only accept medical. There are a lot of kids in public schools that don't have all of their immunizations if any of them. I would imagine a private college could force immunizations but anything state run...you can probably get around it.

In case anyone is interested here is a link to states exemption options...

http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm

Like I said...I personally don't care what people do as far as immunizations as long as they educate themselves (this to avoid turning it into a debate about vaccines).

I have a friend with a college degree who was never vaccinated. She was able to avoid them in college even.

[mvanz9999, RN]

Huh. I did not know this.

Private universities cannot force immunizations. What it says specifically is if there is a break-out of measles/mumps/rubella, a student that does not have proof of immunizations will not be allowed to attend clinicals. Since clinicals are a required part of graduating, the student would essentially fail out. At that price, I'd rather not take the chance.

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Huh. I did not know this.

Private universities cannot force immunizations. What it says specifically is if there is a break-out of measles/mumps/rubella, a student that does not have proof of immunizations will not be allowed to attend clinicals. Since clinicals are a required part of graduating, the student would essentially fail out. At that price, I'd rather not take the chance.

Yup. When it was time for the flu shot we were told that if our unit shuts down for the flu and we didn't get the vaccine then we aren't allowed on the floor. Too much time missed because of the shut down and you are up the creek without a paddle.

A lot of my point is that you can't assume you were vaccinated because you went to school.

My kids are in public schools and do not have all their vaccines because we follow a different schedule...most people have no idea and except for one person at the school we didn't have any problems.

[mvanz9999, RN]

Well I'm certain that I have been vaccinated, not because I was in school, but because my mother has a little blue book that she wrote down the dates of immunization.

My problem is getting the actual records. My parents don't think they have those. Just the blue book.

[AirforceRN, RN]

Just curious, what are people's reasons for not getting immunized? I know the general "religious", "philisophical", "medical", but I'm looking for more specific. There has to be a reason to put yourself or your kids at risk, just wondering what it is?

(Not trying to start a fight here, just a healthy debate;) )

Damien

[IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Just curious, what are people's reasons for not getting immunized? I know the general "religious", "philisophical", "medical", but I'm looking for more specific. There has to be a reason to put yourself or your kids at risk, just wondering what it is?

(Not trying to start a fight here, just a healthy debate;) )

Damien

I can tell you in general that people who don't vaccinate believe that they are keeping their kids healthy.

The thought is that vaccines are dangerous....which they can be.

The other thoughts is that many of the diseases that the vaccines "protect" against aren't really all that dangerous. For example chicken pox. There is documentation that shows that most chicken pox deaths are a result of either inadequate health care or over done health care (such as too much Tylenol) that causes other issues.

The idea that they are putting their kids at risk is purely an opinion as is the idea that those who vaccinate are putting their kids at risk.

I personally believe that any parent who does their own research and then makes their own decision either way...did the right thing. I personally think it's a shame that people blindly follow the advice of medical professionals. People should do some of their own research and realize this is an important decision.

[mvanz9999, RN]

My doctor seemed hesitant to approve re-vaccination after positive blood titer for Mumps.

So I called the school and finally got hold of someone that actually knows something. I was informed that I have the "old" form. I should have suspected this since it's a nearly illegible 117th generation copy of a form that was probably created in 1985.

[Anna4505]

Your state should have a copy of all immunizations. Each doctor that gives them should report them to this database. I know Mississippi has one. I think you can get a copy from any health department.