School in MA threatening to "kick me out" if I do not get Hep B shot

analee23 · Dec 8, 2005

At my school we were unable to opt out, we even had to have titers drawn if we did have the vaccine to make sure we had immunity even after having the whole series (my titer came back negative even though I had all 3 shots, had to have 2 more, and just had titers drawn again yesterday so I can start work)! The reasoning behind this is that Hep B is easily contracted through even a small amount of blood... a stick with a dirty needle could give you the disease. I'd just get the vaccine and get it over with, it protects you from disease and it doesn't have any preservatives or anything in it that could possibly harm you.

Just my opinion, but... just so ya know, other unversities have the same rules.

Leda · Dec 8, 2005

Your school may be within their rights to ask you to withdraw from the program if you do not meet the exemption requirements as set forth in the Massachusetts General Law (referrenced in your first post).

Nursing programs establish policies in accordance with the law, the requirements of the clinical facilities used by the program, and on the advice of counsel. This means if you decline the hepatitis B immunization and do not meet the exemptions in the law you persent a liability risk.

As I suggested in my prior post, it would be in your best interests to get a copy of the Massachusetts Law, compare this to your schools policies, and discuss how your specific situation may fit in with these documents.

Best of luck to you. I do feel for you, as I had to withdraw from adjunct clinical faculty at a Massachusetts nursing program because I did not wish to receive the vaccine (health reasons). Prior to the change in the law, a waiver was acceptable, but at least in my case it no longer applied.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Dec 8, 2005

I'm wondering if you happen to go to a school that accepts no federal funding, perhaps they can do this? Not at all asking you to reveal where you go to school (please don't! :)) Just brainstorming. It's also just possible that no one has ever challenged this and it's not legal.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 8, 2005

I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I posted yesterday, and several people said that at their schools they could sign a waiver and opt not to get the hep. b vaccine. Well, I tried to get a waiver and school says, no waiver available. Get the shot or get out! Is this legal? Again, I don't wish to get into a debate pro/con vaccines. I feel it is a very personal decision. BTW, I have all the other required vaccines. I was also able to sign a waiver to get out of the menigitis vaccine. Anyone have any similar experience? I am scheduled to start clinicals mid January.

I replied to your other thread as well. Not sure about the legal part of it but, I live next to you in Connecticut and it is the same thing here. You get the shot or get out. (Not that I agree). I am so sorry about your situation. Hope you find a solution soon.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 8, 2005

I found this. Try to contact them for a possible answer.

http://www.vaccinechoice.org/

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

Areinn · Dec 8, 2005

I only have one suggestions for you.If you don't want to abide by their rules and regulations.Go somewhere else. Otherwise, stop asking for special treatment. All schools have requirements that must be met, regardless whether it is immunizations, pre-req or grades needed to be accepted. If someone didn't like the pre-req reqs they couldn't sign a waiver that they just didn't want to take A&P (for whatever personal reason) and still be allowed to progress thru the program. There is no difference here. It is the schools requirement so deal with it. Normally, these requirements are known upfront, so there isn't a issue with being kicked out. You either abide or you don't go thru the program. That is your choice. My school required certain immunizations, you got them or you didn't start classes. It was that simple.

Sorry but not a single drop of sympathy here. I have worked too hard to get where I am by following the rules and requirements of the school that I chose to attend. Sure, I have had to do things what I would have rather not done, but I didn't whine about it or ask for special treatment. It really chaps me to see others not want to follow rules but get by anyway.

Hep B is a valid risk and they have reasons for requiring the vaccine. You get Hep B and you will wish you had taken the shot.

onehusbandsevenkids · Dec 8, 2005

I only have one suggestions for you.If you don't want to abide by their rules and regulations.Go somewhere else. Otherwise, stop asking for special treatment. All schools have requirements that must be met, regardless whether it is immunizations, pre-req or grades needed to be accepted. If someone didn't like the pre-req reqs they couldn't sign a waiver that they just didn't want to take A&P (for whatever personal reason) and still be allowed to progress thru the program. There is no difference here. It is the schools requirement so deal with it. Normally, these requirements are known upfront, so there isn't a issue with being kicked out. You either abide or you don't go thru the program. That is your choice. My school required certain immunizations, you got them or you didn't start classes. It was that simple.

Actually, a school can require them - but depending on state law, an individual can opt for for various reasons - religious or medical objections being two of them. I just went through this. My school requires vaccines and I opted out - it wasnt a big problem at all, a matter of having some forms filled out and signed.

Its not as black and white as you make it out to be here.

Also, there is ignorance out there about lots of things, people claiming that they are 100% informed and within the law when in fact, they are not.

Best thing to do - read the law and know your rights. The OP may live in a state where a person can't opt out very easily -they need to find that info.

Asking for your rights to be respected is not asking for special treatment.

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 8, 2005

I feel that one should get the vaccine. I don't know why you don't want to get it, but it seems to me that it's an easy way to prevent a horrible disease.

onehusbandsevenkids · Dec 8, 2005

I feel that one should get the vaccine. I don't know why you don't want to get it, but it seems to me that it's an easy way to prevent a horrible disease.

:rolleyes: The OP requested that this not turn into a pro/against vax debates.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Dec 8, 2005

The OP requested that this not turn into a pro/against vax debates.

Thank you :).

While I realize that people may have very strong feelings about the need for vaccines, it's important to understand that others may be equally rooted in different beliefs. Respectful responses are requested.

nurse2be2007 · Dec 8, 2005

At my school we can sign a waiver not to get the hepB series but we are mandated to get the chicken pox vaccine. Makes no sense to me but I am just getting them both because I just want to get it over with. I didnt have the chicken pox when I was a kid so I dont have an immunity to it.

I wish you luck in your venture. If your beliefs are that strong then I would fight with everything you have to protect your rights. On the other hand, if your beliefs arent that deeply rooted then getting the vaccinations would really be the easy way out (although I have a true phobia to injections and it is in no way easy for me, I can give them all day, doesnt bother me one bit, but the thought of having something pushed into my body like that just creeps me out.)

Good luck to you and I hope that everything works out for you!