Hep B vaccine...are you vaccinated?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am entering a wound care program, and I needed to get a physical eval clearance from my doc. My doc has to take this soooo seriously, he makes me come in for a updated U/A CBC and he "ordered" a Hep B vaccine.

OK, I am not vaccinated :chair:

When this vaccine first came out, it was not made from monoclonal antibodies, so I refused it b/c the live vaccine could have also exposed me to HIV as far as I was concerned.

OK, so they have long since made the vaccine "safe." But after all these years, I figure Why Bother??

Let me ask this, let's say you had major trauma and needed several transfusions. Is that vaccine going to help, you? I figured it was really just to protect against an exposure like a needlestick, which I perceive to be a "lower risk" exposure than several blood transfusions.

That may be a dumb logic, but that is how I rationalized it.

WE are exposed to sooooo many things in this profession, I just, not to get all religious on ya, but I just put in in God's hands. Maybe I am a fool.

So, anyway, I am wondering have you had the vaccine?

If not, why not?

I am just really curious, that's all.

Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

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.

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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?

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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.

:rolleyes:

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Ja, before I got the job in the hospital I was reguired to have the immunization. It may not be 100 % but makes me feel confident and safe.

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good morning everyone

I had the hepB series in 1991. Had my titer done there was no sign I had even been vaccinated. Had the series again. titer still negetive had a booster still negetive.

I have 5 boys ages 12 to 18 all but the 12 year old has been vaccinated but he will be in grade 8.

Why take the chance.

I will have to have the series again when I start work in April. Don't know why my body rejects it but at least it will be on paper that I had it once again:(

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Originally posted by sixes

good morning everyone

I had the hepB series in 1991. Had my titer done there was no sign I had even been vaccinated. Had the series again. titer still negetive had a booster still negetive.

Same here! The last doc I went to, a specialist on vaccins and everything, even ordered a series with different albumin in it......... again, no titer, well yes, as negativ as can be.

Even he can't explain this phenomenen, have to be extra careful of course.

Daughter and hubby both had the combined Hep A/B shots.

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Originally posted by semstr

Originally posted by sixes

good morning everyone

I had the hepB series in 1991. Had my titer done there was no sign I had even been vaccinated. Had the series again. titer still negetive had a booster still negetive.

Same here! The last doc I went to, a specialist on vaccins and everything, even ordered a series with different albumin in it......... again, no titer, well yes, as negativ as can be.

Even he can't explain this phenomenen, have to be extra careful of course.

Daughter and hubby both had the combined Hep A/B shots.

I was also told to be extra careful, I was also told that perhaps my body just wouldn't contarct Hep B, that maybe there was something that fought it off naturally.

I'll opt for being extra careful.

I guess We'd be rich if our body did this naturally.

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We were also required to have all immunizations or titers before school. I had always refused the Hep B, but when titers came back, it said it was reactive. Don't know why...maybe I was exposed. Pain in the butt though to have to explain it all the time...:(

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Some people do not build immunity to the hep b vaccine no matter how many times they have it. I have seen it many times. So weird!

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I had the series many years ago.No problems at all. I had Hep A,a few years before that, and figured as miserable as I was with it, why chance getting B ?

The one thing I do sign a waiver for is tetnus. Last booster I had of it, my entire arm became very red,swolllen, and was miserable.My mother was paranoid about it, every cut I had as a child, she talked doc into giving me another booster. I figure I had my life`s supply of tetnus vaccine before I was 12...

:D

Now, I rarely work anywhere near OB, but seems to me that babies are given first Hep B shot before dc here in Az??At least I have given them...

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I think in my state it is now a requirement to have the Hep B series in order to enroll in Kindergarten. My little one received the first shot before we were discharged.

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GET VACCINATED...BE SAFE TO YOURSELF...OTHERS

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