Hep B vaccine...are you vaccinated? - page 3

1. 
   Mar 14, '03

   I was vaccinated many moons ago when the hospital started requiring it. I had a friend die last year from Hep B, got from a blood transfusion she'd had 20 years earlier. She was dead within a year of onset of symptoms. She was only 45. Sad. I'd say get it.
2. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Got Vaccinated in 94, titers good in 98, haven't checked since.
3. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Got the series in 1990 for nursing school. Now I work with the MR population and we have several known positive hepatitis carriers. Due to get my titres checked next week at my physical. If needed, I will not hesitate to get a booster. As many have already said, I'd rather a poke in the arm (and I HATE needles!!!) than hepatitis.
4. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Yup. Probably should go get a titer just to be safe.
   
   Great post prmenrs!
5. 
   Mar 14, '03

   I was vaccinated in 96 when I started nursing school ....... titres checked in 97 and 98 , we have to be vaccinated here to work...
   I also dont like being dictated to as to what I need to have done to my body, however I do see the reason for it and am thankful that I have been vaccinated, I had a needlestick injury in 99 and was okay thankfully, but pretty scary!
   
   now that whole smallpox vaccine, thats another story in itself - I will NEVER get that one ....
6. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Originally posted by hapeewendy
   Inow that whole smallpox vaccine, thats another story in itself - I will NEVER get that one ....

   Did anyone else get the big packet from the Feds on the smallpox virus and vaccine?
7. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Thanks, Heather--I thought I might catch a flame or @ for the "soapbox" thing...
   
   re:smallpox--I was vaccinated as a child, periodically "boostered" as our family got sent back and forth, mainland to Hawaii, had to get ALL known vaccinations every time, no matter which way we went. Including typhoid fever! (that was the worst one). I got my last smallpox booster ~ 1976, so I would get it again if it were offered ro me. The worst reaction (fever, pain, etc) and complications are w/the FIRST time you get it, after that you don't ususally have a problem. I'm not sure what it is now, but it used to be a live virus, not smallpox, but COWPOX, which is a less virulent disease, but confers cross-immunity.
   
   What did the packet say?
8. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Flames? Nah It was a great ppost prmenrs!
   
   OK you all have convinced me. But I will do it after school, and sign the waiver for now, b/c it will hold me up seriously waiting for the three inj then the titre's, etc...
   
   I hope it "takes" I had to get reubella like 3 times before I had a marginally acceptable titre.
   
   Thanks to everyone for the common sense and sage advice.
9. 
   Mar 14, '03

   Originally posted by hoolahan
   I hope it "takes" I had to get reubella like 3 times before I had a marginally acceptable titre.

   Me too.
10. 
    Mar 14, '03

    Yes, I am vaccinated for Hep B. Like some other posters stated why take a risk? We take risks often enough being nurses.
    
    I thought that the chances of contracting Hep B through a needlestick was a lot higher than contracting HIV. I bet someone has a link for that.
    
    As far as know most of my co-workers are vaccinated against Hep B. My biggest complaint was my arm got sore, especially after the second injection. Good Luck...
11. 
    Mar 15, '03

    I got mine when I worked L&D in 1990. Also had to have a booster about 5 years ago. I decided the disease was worse than the vaccine.
    
    When my kids were in high school a few years back, it was strongly suggested that they be vaccinated. I decided that since they did not have the chances of exposure that I had, I declined for them to receive it. They can now choose as adults if it is offered to them, but I doubt the professions they have chosen will prompt them to do so.
12. 
    Mar 15, '03

    The vaccine was required when i entered school. The way i see it why not? We are exposed to so many things- why would you not prevent something you are exposed to?
13. 
    Mar 15, '03

    I had the Hep B and Hep A series in 1995, and because I worked in a primate (monkey) research lab, assorted other vaccines, all at the same time. No problems, no sequelae, nothing but a distinct impression that my arm makes for a poor pincushion.
    
    Hepatitis B isn't a theoretical risk--it's very real, and remarkably easy to contract. Pick your way: blood transfusion, sex, needlestick.
    
    So why not get the vaccine? I don't spend my time worrying about whether vaccines cause autism or immune disorders or other such nonsense; I do spend my time worrying about health care professionals and other individuals who by their example encourage needless fear of vaccines.
    
    

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