Very stressed about Hep B vaccine for school in Fall - please help!

nurse_wannabe · Jul 17, 2005

Can anyone advise as to what you might do in my situation?

Personally, I would get it and hope for the best. :twocents:

From the CDC website:

"Hundreds of millions of persons worldwide have received hepatitis B vaccine without developing MS (or any other autoimmune disease). "

Doesn't say how many people HAVE, but I haven't really attempted to find out. :rolleyes:

Princess74 · Jul 17, 2005

Well everyone here has to get it. They give it to infants as soon as they are born, and all children entering the 6th grade must have it, just like their other shots. I'm sure though that there is probably a way for you to get out of it. Have you explained to your school why you have the issue with taking it? Maybe you can sign a waiver. We can. I have already got my first one and I'm getting my 2nd next week. I wasn't even told that there were any side effects:uhoh21: . I guess I should know better than that. Now I'm kinda worried myself. I guess I will finish the shots anyway though. There's probably a much higher chance of me catching Hep B if I do not get the shots, then the chance of developing something from the shot. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your brother. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.:)

CallMePatti · Jul 17, 2005

Does anyone know whether I have a right to refuse the vaccine as a student and/or healthcare worker?

I would think you do have the right to refuse. Although the Hep B vax has become a routine vax for newborns in the US, even parents of newborns have the right to refuse the vax for their babies.

However, maybe your school, or the hospitals where you will be doing your clinicals have a mandatory Hep B rule. At my school, it's strongly recommended, but not necessary.

I understand your concern, and my suggestion would be to discuss this with your school's Director of Nursing.

Patti

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Look at your states vaccine exemption laws. Every state is different, but all states offer medical exemptions if you have a family history or prior history of adverse reactions.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Well everyone here has to get it. They give it to infants as soon as they are born, and all children entering the 6th grade must have it, just like their other shots.

Actually, that's not completely accurate. All states offer medical exemptions, most states offer religious exemptions, and approximately half the states offer philosophical exemptions.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 17, 2005

hi everyone,
i'm starting an adn program in the fall & am getting all my ducks in a row for the start of classes (e.g. drug testing, physical exam, etc.). when i originally applied for this program, the head of the dept. told me that they recommended, but did not currently require that adn students get the hep b vaccine. at orientation, she reiterated and said that now we all would be required to get the hep b vaccine for clinicals.
this is a concern for me because my older brother took 2 of the 3 hep b shots in medical school, and his life/health have been literally ruined as a result. he had a severe autoimmune reaction that still affects him 10+ years later (similar to cfs, but also includes hypotension and other problems).
my primary care md was really no help on this matter (pretty much told me that "only god knows if you'll get a reaction" ) so i'm faced with the choice of whether or not to do it.
can anyone advise as to what you might do in my situation? i don't want to get the disease either, but i am really very stressed out about making this choice. does anyone know whether i have a right to refuse the vaccine as a student and/or healthcare worker?
thanks guys...

everyone has a right to refuse anything. all you have to do is sign a waiver. no problem there. but, i think that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks involved.

now, one question i have regarding your case would be genetics involved and is there an increased risk for you since you had a direct first degree blood relative who reacted so violently. (and i might add, did they prove that it was definitely linked to the hep vaccine for him?) you can contact the cdc and get info regarding that question.

good luck!!

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Studies show that autoimmune disorders and allergies tend to run in families. Since the Hep B vaccine is intended for YOUR benefit, I don't think it can be forced upon you at the risk of your health. There are also groups who are opposed to vaccinations on religious grounds. I doubt that they are barred from the practice of nursing. There is probably a waiver you will have to sign to hold the school and clinical facility harmless in case you do pick it up.

You will learn in nursing the rules of safe drug administration. Vaccines are considered drugs. You will learn that once you push it, it's too late to say oops. Do not put the drug into you and hope for the best if you don't think it's safe. Don't do it to your patients, and don't do it to yourself.

I'm sorry your brother had the reaction. In truth, Hep C is the more likely culprit that will cause you harm in the clinical setting and there is no vaccination for that.

Princess74 · Jul 17, 2005

Actually, that's not completely accurate. All states offer medical exemptions, most states offer religious exemptions, and approximately half the states offer philosophical exemptions.

Well yes, but I meant in general its required along with MMR etc.. of course anyone can refuse, you are right.

prmenrs, RN · Jul 17, 2005

The problem will be that, if you can get a waiver @ this time, great, but you will still be facing the same issue when you apply for employment @ a hospital. So, it's an issue you'll be facing more than once. Ask your doc if there is a specialist w/whom you can speak regarding this issue. Possibly, your brother's MD could be of some help?

prmenrs, RN · Jul 17, 2005

The problem will be that, if you can get a waiver @ this time, great, but you will still be facing the same issue when you apply for employment @ a hospital. So, it's an issue you'll be facing more than once. Ask your doc if there is a specialist w/whom you can speak regarding this issue. Possibly, your brother's MD could be of some help?

Meanwhile, try to relax. Nothing you can do about it this weekend, anyway!

mariedoreen · Jul 17, 2005

I understand your concern. If my sibling had had a severe autoimmune reaction to a vaccine I would also hesitate. Personally I would not just jump into it and hope for the best as others have said because you are not just an average person, you are closely blood related to someone who reacted. I'd do more research, find another specialist to talk to (including my brother's physician) and consider requesting a waiver until I'm more sure as to the course of action I wish to take.