Hep B vaccine...are you vaccinated?

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

When the hospital first started offering it, I think around 1993, I refused because I intended to get pregnant again. I didn't know if there was any possible interactions, but used that as an excuse since I hate needles.

I finally got the series done when I entered nursing school (1998) since it was a requirement. I was still working at the hospital so I had it done there. As an employee there was no cost!

Sleepyeyes · Mar 14, 2003

Yes. It's also a requirement for schoolchildren here, and my son has also been vaccinated.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

http://www.909shot.com/Newsletters/hepbnlr.htm

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/hepb2020.html

donmurray · Mar 14, 2003

It's recommended in my Trust, although you can decline if you sign a disclaimer form absolving them of any liability should you get infected. I took the jab, I think of it as a second line of defence after wearing gloves for anything involving messy bits.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hep-b.pdf

sunnygirl272 · Mar 14, 2003

I was vaccinated in 1992....full series, spaced appropriately...had a needlestick in 1993, lowrisk source, but did the whole"shebang" of testing and titres...my titre then was ok, was immune....in 1998 or 1999 got a freaky blood exposure, had a "former" crack user/iv drug user, blind, diabetic...was doing patient teaching with his new talking glucometer...somehow or other, ended up with a few drops of blood on my forearm. Skin intact to naked eye, but had clients with kittens, and we know how those l'il buggers are...and with his history...i asked him to be tested for hiv and hep...he agreed, only cuz he liked me , cuz I "treated him like a person"....he was negative all around...my titre came back low, too low to be immune....had a booster and damn i can't remember now if i had a followup titre done..hmm...guess i oughta check my records...HMmm....

Heather333 · Mar 14, 2003

Yep. Been vaccinated and had titers when I entered nursing school.

Heather

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Our state, Illinois, now requires the vaccine. I believe it was enacted 2-3 years ago. Without the vaccine, students may be excluded from school.

They are able to file a "religious exemption" claim if they refuse to get the immunization. If they choose to do that, the principal and/or school board reviews their claim. They have the option to refuse.

According to the form, philosophical reasons against immunizations are not sufficient to be considered "religious exemption."

I have never heard of anyone in our district excluding a student from school for not getting immunizations. If they refuse to get the 2 required MMRs, they have to sign a waiver. The waiver states if there is a confirmed case of measles, their student will be excluded from school for at least 21 days, and the district will not pay for a tutor.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

Just added some pro and con links.

It does irritate me that we be dictated to about having to have this immunization for our kids. My kids have to be vaccinated before next year or they can't go to school either.

(THanks to Frannybee for letting me know about the bad link!)

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

If you don't want to get your kids vaccinated, that is your option. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I can understand the MMR, but the Hep B leaves me wondering.

Although it is required, it is still your option! I did have my kids vaccinated.