Do you need to get vaccinated to become a nurse?

Chaya, ASN, RN · Feb 2, 2004

We had to get 2 or 3 basic immunizations. The must-have to be allowed to work on the unit was the Hepatitis series.

roxannekkb · Feb 2, 2004

Originally posted by LoriG
Thanks for the replies, guys LOL
I was just wondering if it was a requirement, or optional. I am only leery of getting shots because of my past reactions to them, and one of my kids also reacted to his shots.
I was just asking, is all :)

The only vaccine that I was required to get was a hep B, and the measles/mumps/rubella if I had a low titer (which I didn't). However, I had a really bad reaction to the first hep B vaccine, and my gut feeling told me not to continue the series. I filled out the card myself, for the other two doses, but never got them.

I'm glad I went with my gut feeling. A few months later I read about another nurse who also had the same symptoms I did after the first shot, but went on to have the two others. Her symptoms worsened, and now she has a multiple sclerosis like illness. In doing research, I found that this has happened to more than one person after the Hep B vaccine.

So my point is that the Hep B vaccine and other vaccines are important in preventing diseases, especially if you are at risk, as in a healthcare worker. But for some people, vaccines may cause more harm than good. It's the same with drugs as well. I tend to react to drugs, and vaccines, so I avoid both as much as I can.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2004

We had to get vaccinated in SCHOOL as we would be exposed to patients and the school did not want the liability or the down time.