Immunization for nursing students. Question -

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Specializes in Emergency Room.

I have no proof of any of my immunizations, except a tetorifice shot I had when I was older. We lost our house in a fire when I was young and we never had a regular doctor. Do I have to get a titer done? When will I need to show proof of my immunizations?

Also, if I need a titer, can anyone recommend an affordable location in Wayne county? My insurance does not cover my immunizations.

I am hoping to get an acceptance letter into HFCC's nursing program in Fall '08

Thank you so much. I am new to this website.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I was in the same boat. Trying to re-create immunization records at the ripe old age of 43 is not easy. My pediatrician is dead and buried, and my college records are so old that they probably don't exist anymore, either.

I had titres drawn this week for MMR, Varicella, and Hep B. (I had the Hep B series, but don't remember which employer, and don't want to try and track down employee health records from 5 different hospitals.)

I had a TB test done, got a tetorifice/pertussis booster, and the first shot in the Hep A series. I am expecting a doctor bill close to the national debt, since only the tetorifice/pertussis booster will be covered by insurance, but I was willing to pay for the convenience of getting it done in one place.

Try your county health department and/or the student health center of your college. If you are currently employed, you may be able to get some things done at reasonable cost thru your employee health service. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The health dept does not do titers (at least not the one in Warren). I called Concentra (in Sterling Heights) and will be going there for my physical, drug screen and titers. I think it's going to cost me $40 for the exam, $40 for the drug screen and about $250 for the titers (I know the total was between $300-$400). I visited the health dept to get my first shot in the Hep B series and I also got a Tetorifice/Pertussis booster. My insurance won't cover any of this either :(.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is probably more practical and cheaper to just get everything all over again. If you do the titers first, and pay for them, and you find out that you are not immune for one or more of the diseases, you will have to get revaccinated anyway. I lost my immunization records one time, and ended up having to get revaccinated. It is always a good idea to keep your records with your passport, birth certificate, and other important papers. Then you are less likely to misplace or lose them, like I did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I understand caliotter's point that re-vaccinating is probably cheaper than having titers drawn and possibly needing the vaccines anyway. But although I am pro-vaccination, and believe that they have an excellent safety record, I caution anyone against taking any medication (vaccines included) unnecessarily.

There is always the possibility of an adverse reaction, which would be especially unfortunate if the vaccines were not truly needed.

Just my 2 cents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can ask a nurse at your doctor's office to check on registry for your record. I have done that before.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I just got my titers done for HFCC...which you have to get done no matter if you have a shot record or not (which I did) They have a special through midwest. It costs $90 for the titers. (Trust me cheapest anywhere...if you get them done through Oakwood lab they cost twice as much!!!)

TB was $10. A physical was $25. The other shots (MMR, Hep B and tetorifice) were more but I don't know how much...those you can call around to health departments if you need them to see if cheaper. However don't get them yet wait till you get your acceptance letter and go to the first meeting...I say this because I don't know if you got the titers now if they would make you get them again later...plus the prices are for HFCC nursing students and not everyone. They also offer the drug test for $20 there (normally $40)

You will have to get a TB test for sure which is only good for a year...so don't get that yet. Hep B if you know you haven't had it for sure then you can start on it. But don't bother for MMR if you had it before...cause you might still be immune. I unfortunately was not still immune to measles so I did...but you may not...so don't waste your money getting it if you don't need it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just got my titers done for HFCC...which you have to get done no matter if you have a shot record or not (which I did) They have a special through midwest. It costs $90 for the titers. (Trust me cheapest anywhere...if you get them done through Oakwood lab they cost twice as much!!!)

TB was $10. A physical was $25. The other shots (MMR, Hep B and tetorifice) were more but I don't know how much...those you can call around to health departments if you need them to see if cheaper. However don't get them yet wait till you get your acceptance letter and go to the first meeting...I say this because I don't know if you got the titers now if they would make you get them again later...plus the prices are for HFCC nursing students and not everyone. They also offer the drug test for $20 there (normally $40)

You will have to get a TB test for sure which is only good for a year...so don't get that yet. Hep B if you know you haven't had it for sure then you can start on it. But don't bother for MMR if you had it before...cause you might still be immune. I unfortunately was not still immune to measles so I did...but you may not...so don't waste your money getting it if you don't need it!

:yeahthat:

Keep in mind that you will need to get the hep shot 3 times: the initial, a month later, and 6 months after that. If you need to get the MMR, you will need to get more titers to prove that you are immune. Also, the nursing office will need to see lab paper work that you are immune.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you born in Mi go to the Health Department and request a copy of your shot record (which is free). That will let you know what you have already had and what you still may need. Then get a schedule of upcoming immunization dates from them because private clinics are reluctant to give immunizations to adults due to supply and demand you may get your shots from the Health Department affiliated clinics for $10 per shot. Hope this helps and good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you born in Mi go to the Health Department and request a copy of your shot record (which is free). That will let you know what you have already had and what you still may need. Then get a schedule of upcoming immunization dates from them because private clinics are reluctant to give immunizations to adults due to supply and demand you may get your shots from the Health Department affiliated clinics for $10 per shot. Hope this helps and good luck.

You would still need to have your titers done, to see if you are still immune to the diseases. The Hep B series is $99.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just went through the same thing with starting Jan 2008 at WCCCD and I didnt get any titers done because I opted to go ahead and get the immunizations instead of taking the chance of paying for the titers and still needing to get the shot anyway (if the antibody levels are too low). You may get the Hep B series for $30 because the Health Department charges $10 per vaccination.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where is Midwest (or what is the full name of the company)? I did a search and came up empty handed.

I just got my titers done for HFCC...which you have to get done no matter if you have a shot record or not (which I did) They have a special through midwest. It costs $90 for the titers. (Trust me cheapest anywhere...if you get them done through Oakwood lab they cost twice as much!!!)

TB was $10. A physical was $25. The other shots (MMR, Hep B and tetorifice) were more but I don't know how much...those you can call around to health departments if you need them to see if cheaper. However don't get them yet wait till you get your acceptance letter and go to the first meeting...I say this because I don't know if you got the titers now if they would make you get them again later...plus the prices are for HFCC nursing students and not everyone. They also offer the drug test for $20 there (normally $40)

You will have to get a TB test for sure which is only good for a year...so don't get that yet. Hep B if you know you haven't had it for sure then you can start on it. But don't bother for MMR if you had it before...cause you might still be immune. I unfortunately was not still immune to measles so I did...but you may not...so don't waste your money getting it if you don't need it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment