Hepatitis vaccination

[JEEE]

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well.

I am new to nursing and dialysis nursing.

How does the vaccination series work for your facility. Also, I am just trying to get used to the terminology, what is "series", is it same as doses?

Thank you! :)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of three doses, set a certain amount of time apart. For some people who don't complete the series or wait too long between injections, restarting the entire series may be required.

[SmilingBluEyes]

We do 4 doses, 40mcg IM each, given in two shots, one in each arm. Most people sero-convert but some never do. That is a problem if you have a Hep B positive patient, you have to seat them specially (in an isolation room) and have caregivers for the Hep B patient and immune patients, only, care for them. (dedicated staff).

It is absolutely critical all dialysis patients either be immune to Hep B, or receive the vaccine, for obvious reasons.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Also, sometimes patients who were immune, become low in antibodies and have to have the series again. We check Hep B surface antigen and antibody status on all new admissions, and everyone else, every year. We also check staff for immunity and those who are not, need the series as well.

[paolo962000]

Hello JEEE,

In our center, we follow the 40mcg and 4 series rule. We give 40 mcg in one shot, given at one arm intramuscular.

The rule is that if the HBS Titer count is more than 10 mIU/mL, there's no need to vaccinate. If the titer count is more than 1mIU/mL but less than 5mIU/mL, we should give booster doses. And when the titer count is 0.00mIU/mL, we should give the complete series.

Series means the vaccine is given 0,1,2,6 months. This means 0 is the start, next dose is 1 month after start, then next is 2 months after the start, fourth dose is 6 months after first dose.

I hope this helps. =)