Hep B Vaccine Question

[dallas_fan]

i will try and make this as simple as possible: started nursing school last fall, did all the required immunizations (including hep b) but only got the FIRST hep b shot. they said that no antibodies were detected from previous hep b immunizations so i needed the whole series. like an idiot, i neglected to go back a month later to get the second shot. this was for many reasons as i was busy, doctor's office was too far, etc. there are no excuses and i should've kept up but nonetheless, i didn't. i continued to put it off all fall and now here it is, january 2014. my question is, and i am going to see the doc about it on friday, is can i still get the second shot or do i need to start over? i got the first shot in august.

i am going to a different clinical site and they, of course, require documentation of hep b vaccinations. i am hoping they are okay with me being in the middle of my series but i wanted to see if anyone had any insight into this or had gone through something similar? i feel like an idiot but i know that i can't let stuff like this slip as it's for my own protection (as well as my patients). nowhere in the policy for either the school or institution states that they won't let you start without the full series but i still worry and really feel like a moron for not following through on this. i would ASSUME that it would say in the institution policy for students that no student could start without full series but then again, you never know.

thanks in advance!

[peachshan, BSN, RN]

I have this same issue. Luckily, my school is understanding and still let me start. I had to show proof that I had at least started the series. I have one more shot left that will be done in March. I called the school to give them an update and to make sure I could start classes. They gave me the green light and I am going to double check with them. I would say make sure you get that second shot and check with them about the policy. Good luck! I know how irritating this is.

[peachshan, BSN, RN]

Oops, I just reread your post. Make sure you check with the doctor because they can tell you if you need to start back over.

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

I wish you luck -- but it was stressed to me by both the school and health department that there is 2 week window (before or after the due date) for each of the last 2 injections.. and if you went beyond that then I would have to start the entire series over... Now they may have just been telling me that and if so I hope you get a different answer when you ask your PCP.

Having had the series once before may make a difference for you...

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

All schools are different. At my school we had to have our last shot before we actually started clinicals (4 weeks in to first semester). They gave plenty of time between the first orientation (where you get all that info) and the clinical start date. You can get a titer and see if the antibodies show up. For me, even though I have had the series twice, the antibodies don't show so it looks like I've never had the shot

[csmcj, BSN, RN]

Check with the school and with your doctor, but I can say that when I got mine, I got the first two on schedule, but then life sort of got in the way and I didn't get the final shot until a year after I'd started the series. My school accepted it, but I did have to have a titer drawn to show that I had immunity.

[dallas_fan]

thanks all for the great info/replies! after doing some research, and per the CDC, it seems as even if you miss a shot, you just go and get the next dose ASAP. so in my case, i should be receiving my second shot this friday when i go see the physician. and then it seems like i will have to wait a month or two? for the final shot. hopefully the institution where clinicals are taking place will accept this! or at the very least a titer will maybe show i have immunity?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

We can't give medcial advice as per the Terms of Service..you will have to ask your provider this question. You were responsible for your series and you failed to follow through....I hope the facility and your school will understand.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

All schools are different. At my school we had to have our last shot before we actually started clinicals (4 weeks in to first semester). They gave plenty of time between the first orientation (where you get all that info) and the clinical start date. You can get a titer and see if the antibodies show up. For me, even though I have had the series twice, the antibodies don't show so it looks like I've never had the shot

There are non converters if you have had the series twice....you are considered a non converter. http://www.hepb.org/professionals/vaccine_non-responders.htm

[dallas_fan]

wasn't really looking for "medical advice" per se, just wanted to see if others had made similar mistakes. sorry about that. and yes, i know i failed to follow up, thank you for pointing that out. it is always appreciated when others state the obvious. you summed it up perfectly, and for that i am eternally grateful! :)

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Your patients aren't going to care that your personal life is busy or in an uproar. All they are going to care about is that they have a competent nurse. We really aren't "allowed" mistakes and we can't allow personal issues to get in the way of the critical thinking skills necessary to care for our patients the best we can.

Asking whether you will need to restart the series or pick up where you left off IS asking medical advice and something only your provider can provide.

Medical Advice:

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