Hepatitis B vaccination

Dottie78 · Jan 23, 2009

I thought once you got the series (3 injections) you don't need any more after that. I could be wrong, but that's how I understood it.

queenjean · Jan 23, 2009

I only got the first of the three, about 12 years ago; I deferred the subsequent two because I became pregnant. Every time I've had my titer drawn (school, employment), my levels are immune.

Thank goodness; I really HATE getting shots.

81Bubbles, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2009

The series of three shots need to be done then 1 month after the last shot a titer needs to be drawn. If antibodies are over 10 then you should be all set. if the antibodies are not over 10 you may need a booster shot then the titer drawn again one month after. some people do not convert and need the series again (repeating the entire process from the begining) If you are working in a hospital or clinic they should be drawing your titers annually.

animal1993 · Jan 23, 2009

Why would you need to have titers done annually? If you have them done, and are immune, wouldn't you always be immune?

81Bubbles, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

Just because you are immune today doesn't not mean you will be immune later down the line and annually your employer should be checking all titers (such ass MMR, HepB, Chicken pox etc) as well as doing PPD or chest x-ray. This helps limit the risk to YOUR health and the chances of you spreading disease to patients.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jan 27, 2009

You don't have to get a Hep B series.

Also about waning immunity with HepB vaccine, read the CDC Pink Book. Even if your immunity shows up low later on the CDC still believe you do have immunity through memory cells. Kinda interesting when I was reading about that. CDC Pink Book is online for free and your best resource for vaccines.

81Bubbles, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2009

I've seen that recently but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I am one of those people who had antibodies to HepB and now when titers are drawn I show up nonreactive. Not low, I show no immunity. This has actually happened to me with Measles and mumps as well but I got a booster and now show immunity. We tried 2 more hep series one with engerix and one recombivax and I still show no immunity. Per policy with my employer I can not treat HepB patients without immunity

lsyorke, RN · Jan 27, 2009

If you are working in a hospital or clinic they should be drawing your titers annually.

I've been working in hospitals since this vaccine came out. Had the full series, never converted, had the series again, never converted, and had two additional doses, never converted. That was 10 years ago...never had another titer drawn by any hospital that I worked in.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 28, 2009

I have only had my HepB titer drawn once, after a needlestick. It was WAY high (close to 1800) and it had been years since my series. Never had it drawn since.

There are some people who just never convert - whether HepB, MMR, varicella, or whatever. I had a patient (postpartum) who'd had the MMR shot like 4 or 5 times and always showed up as non-immune. After baby #5, she refused since it had done her no good thus far. And then there are people whose titers wane over the years, even if the initial titer shows immunity.

81Bubbles, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2009

I've been working in hospitals since this vaccine came out. Had the full series, never converted, had the series again, never converted, and had two additional doses, never converted. That was 10 years ago...never had another titer drawn by any hospital that I worked in.

They may no longer draw titer since they list you as not immune and there is nothing further currently that can be done vaccine wise for you.