Immunization question

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2010

Each program/state has their own requirements.

The school will inform you of the process and what is needed because there will be forms that will need to be completed by your physician.

You need to wait until you know what they need.

Justanotherday · Apr 9, 2010

You can probably expect to need to be tested for TB and may need the Hepatitis B series if you haven't had that. I needed to do that just to volunteer at our hospital. They also did a titer on me (through the employee health office) and it turned out I was not immune to measles so I needed that, too. All the shots and two TB tests were free for me as a volunteer. I have no idea how much they would cost if I had to go to a doctor's office or lab, sorry. The Hep B series is three shots.

happy2learn · Apr 9, 2010

For my school, we need proof of immunity to MMR & Varicella(you could have the titer done or the vaccines). I also need to complete a 2 Step PPD(TB Skin Test) and have a physical. On top of that, the Hep B vaccine is needed. This is all before starting clinicals.

If you're getting vaccines, you need to do the 2 step PPD first, at least thats what a nurse at the health department told me.

You must also do the 2 step PPD yearly.

I just started my PPD test last week, it was $21 per test($42 total.)

In my area, I don't have health insurance. So I'm going to Urgent Care to do the PPD test and vaccines. There is no office visit fee or anything like that, you just pay for the service. The MMR is like $85 and the Varicella is $115 each(I need 2.) I'm getting the Hep B at my local health department, it's only $54 per shot there. Walgreens Take Care Clinic does vaccines as well, prices are similar.

I had chicken pox and could do the varicella titer for $100, but just because you had it, doesn't mean you are immune. I don't want to spend $100 then not be immune and still have to spend $230 on the shots, so I'm just doing the vaccines.

The MMR & Varicella can be done at the same time(as in during the same visit) and the second dose is 4-8 weeks apart. The Hep B is a 3 series and needs to be at least 4 weeks apart.

After all the vaccines, I need to get a physical to verify immunity. I have to get this done to get on the waitlist(because we have to become STNA's first), but I can waive the Hep B right now, it just needs to be done before nursing clinicals.