Anyone working nurse labeled a Non-Responder with vaccines?

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Jan 8, 2016

I don't titer, ever. I am employable with vaccination records. I have had the Hep series so many times now it's ridiculous. I keep my vaccine records and give them to new employers now. No big deal. Most people who don't titer actually do have immunity, they just don't titer for some reason (I researched it once but forget the specifics).

jengix29 · Jan 11, 2016

Wow, so if your able to show that you have had the vaccinations then I guess its not hard to get employed? I was just so worried because I haven't heard or read of this situation. I thought I was really unique.... Is that true for just the Hep? Or for all required Titers...like MMR, Varicella, etc...

I don't titer for all....

Thanks for your post!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2016

Well, when I had the hep B titer they told me that it showed me as not immune but if I was exposed the immune system would kick in and start making antibodies again. I had to get the MMR again but I had a titer drawn shortly after so it showed me as immune. I use ancient titers to get around it.

Farawyn · Jan 11, 2016

*raises hand*

I've had the Hep B series 2x, plus a booster and I'm still not "immune"

ohiobobcat · Jan 11, 2016

I found out I was not immune to Hep B when I applied to nursing school. I had to get a titer drawn because I lost my immunization paperwork. They were not going to let me in to nursing school because of it, but my immunity kicked in after I started the Hep B series again.

The last hospital I worked in drew titers on everything upon hiring, and I found out I am not immune to measles. I've had a booster since then and my immunity still hasn't kicked in via titer. It did not affect my employment.

jengix29 · Feb 26, 2016

Thank you...really good to know that you can still get hired.... :sarcastic:

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2016

I've never had to prove immunity, just that I was vaccinated.

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 26, 2016

Wow, so if your able to show that you have had the vaccinations then I guess its not hard to get employed? I was just so worried because I haven't heard or read of this situation. I thought I was really unique.... Is that true for just the Hep? Or for all required Titers...like MMR, Varicella, etc...
I don't titer for all....
Thanks for your post!

I don't respond to the MMR. My one employer had me get the vac. twice because they just didn't believe the results. When they saw a negative titer a second time, they stopped questioning it.

AdobeRN · Feb 26, 2016

I have had the Hep B series 3 times and shows no immunity. My last employer gave me a form showing my attempts at vaccination and titer results - hopefully any future employers requiring documentation will accept it. I think the worse case scenario is that the employer makes you go thru the vaccination series again and does the titers just so they have something on file.

Kat927 · Apr 7, 2018

Hello ev1,

I was supposed to rank last October, unfortunately I tested neg for hep b. I just did my second twinrix and I'm I'm still neg. I am getting a booster Monday as a last ditch effort. With hopes of ranking in June

I need pure honesty. Will I even be accepted into the nursing program?

Thank you for your time and all you do!

PCnurse88 · Apr 8, 2018

I've had enough vaccines to cover like 3 normal people. Chicken pox 3 times, MMR I think 4, hep series a few times... nothing sticks. My nursing school made me do the entire series over. My first and current RN jobs accepted vaccination records. My per diem made me do the whole round of vaccinations again and then made faced at me when my titers were still negative, but sill hired me.