Hepatitis B Vaccine for nursing program

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

Tell me if anyone has heard of this: I got accepted into the nursing program at the University of Toledo, and with that came a letter stating I need to have the Hepatitis B vaccinations documented along with a titer. Well, I went and got blood work and the labs showed I was immune to Hep B, however, I don't have any documentation at having the 3 shots (I know I received them as a child, just don't have proof). Asked the college if this was sufficient, and they are telling me that I STILL need the 3 shots even though I am immune!

So I go back to my doctor, and she refuses to administer the vaccine because I am immune, even though I told her exactly what the college told me. Her office is going to call the college and ask about it. And while I agree with the doctor, I just want to get my health requirements out of the way. Plus, my insurance will cover the vaccination if I go through the doctor's office.

Has anyone else dealt with this? If I am immune to a disease, what does it matter if I show proof of vaccination?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating room, Pediatrics.

Have you checked with your parents to see if they kept your childhood vaccination record? When I started nursing school I had to either provide documentation of my childhood immunizations or get titers done to prove immunity. Since the titers showed I wasn't immune to HBV I had to then get vaccinated and send in documentation to the school after each shot. I was permitted to start school after the first vaccination as long as I had the series completed within the specified time frame. Who did you speak to at the school? Sounds like someone didn't know what they were talking about, maybe you should try contacting the head of the program to verify this info. A doctor will not re-immunize someone who has already been vaccinated. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I spoke to the school's student health center. I actually went to the nursing department about this and they told me all health requirement questions must be addressed by the health center. Unfortunately, I don't have my childhood vaccination record, which is really irritating.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
\ said:
I spoke to the school's student health center. I actually went to the nursing department about this and they told me all health requirement questions must be addressed by the health center. Unfortunately I don't have my childhood vaccination record, which is really irritating

This may or may not help, but I know my high school transcripts list all of my vaccinations because that is what was required in California when I started high school. Maybe yours lists them too? Worth a shot!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Didn't have to deal with this, I had a titer drawn and that was enough. Your doctor calling should be enough. I wouldn't get another set of vaccines, you don't need them. Scary that a nursing program doesn't get the simple concept of a titer showing immunity. I would suggest going to the hospitals you will be doing clinicals at and get a note stating that a titer proving immunity is enough (if you have additional troubles after your doctor contracts your school)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

Your doctor can state immunity, so bring in a letter and ask them how any doc would re-vaccinate when you had blood work that shows immunity. Then climb the ladder and talk to someone with common sense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment