Hep B Vaccine or not?

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Did you get it? We are now required to get the Hep.B vaccine before our final clinical orientaion or document why we refuse. I have researched this vaccine and am at odds as to whether or not it's really needed, safe, or effective. I'm leaning towrds refusing it. Wondering what everyone thinks about this and if you have recieved this vaccine?

Thanks everyone for your time!

Alyx

Specializes in LTC, skilled nursing, Med-Surg.

I have taken the hepatitis B vaccine, although I had the right to refuse. I just figure that you never know who may have hepatitis B, and with all the accidents that can happen (needlesticks, blood spills & splashes, etc), it is better to be protected. If I didn't take the vaccine and accidentally contract it, I could pass it on to my husband, and that is a risk I am not willing to take. As far as the hepatitis vaccine itself, I didn't find it painful and have had no side effects from it. The only vaccine I have had some pretty bad side effects from is the tetorifice booster I just got, and I understand that this is quite common. I think it is good, though, to get as much information as possible about a vaccine, so you can make an informed decision. :nurse:

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I am vaccinated. Hep B is more readily transmitted by blood than HIV (30% vs. 3%). I had a needlestick and was darn glad I didn't have to worry about contracting Hep B.

The organization I work for will not allow you to handle blood without proof of vaccination and titer.

The risk of disease is higher than perceived vaccine risk. Protect yourself.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

The vaccine was still very new, and I didn't have time to complete the series before traveling out of the country for an extended volunteer stint. Long and short of it, I contracted Hep B from one of two possible sources, both nursing related. Puking and feeling lousy for 6 months, cutting my travels short, not being able to work, constant exhaustion...... absolutely to be avoided.

The vaccine is definitley worth it.

I am glad to say I survived by the grace of God and now have a titer consistent with immunity (not a chronic carrier).

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Specializes in ED.

As a RN I will get any vaccination that will help me to avoid illness. It is the responsible thing to do. Why are you thinking of refusing it?

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

Hep B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines out....there are only minor side effects reported....pain at site, redness, etc....now as for some of the other ones, I think twice about...

When my 20 yr. old son was a baby and received the DPT series, he had such a high fever and was so ill from the Pertussis vaccine that I never allowed him to have another one of those......but He had the Hep B vaccine before entering college with no problems...

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Specializes in MS, ED.

I took the vaccine with no regrets. One less thing to worry about is always a plus, by my view.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I got it. Got mine many years ago and have been rechecked recently and am still immune.

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Specializes in Systems Analyst, RN.

I got my original Hep B series in 1997 and my immunity was never checked until my recent pre-employment physical when they drew blood. When I went back to complete my physical, they told me I was not immune to Hep B so they gave me a booster and will recheck my immunity in a month. I would get it and have your immunity checked at some point!

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