Immunization requirements

AnnaN5 · Oct 11, 2006

This may sound like a dumb question, but what kind of immunizations do you need before you start at a nursing school? Because I don't remember the last time I had gotten a vaccine for anything. Thank you.

For my nursing program the following immunizations needed to be up to date:

MMR, Tetorifice, Hepatitis B, and either proof of having chickenpox or varicella vaccine. We also had to get a TB skin test done.

Tetorifice shots are good for 10 years so you may not remember having one of those. Also you usually get the two MMR vaccines when you are very young. If you or anyone in your family doesn't have proof of your vaccines, you might want to check your local health department or your doctor's office for any proof.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

For my nursing program the following immunizations needed to be up to date:
MMR, Tetorifice, Hepatitis B, and either proof of having chickenpox or varicella vaccine. We also had to get a TB skin test done.
Tetorifice shots are good for 10 years so you may not remember having one of those. Also you usually get the two MMR vaccines when you are very young. If you or anyone in your family doesn't have proof of your vaccines, you might want to check your local health department or your doctor's office for any proof.

That sounds about right....and since I am older than dirt, then did the titer to see if I had had MMR exposure (I think that's what it is for?!?!)....since it came back positive (or is that negative? Had clinicals and it's been a LONG day), I didn't need those vaccines....it was also recommended that we get a flu shot and the meningococcal (school nurse said I probably didn't need due to my age)....I'll warn you if you haven't had a tetorifice shot in awhile....that buggar hurt for 3 days...that'll probably be the worst of the bunch!! My personal MD did everything but the TB and Hep B which I had done on campus as they were cheaper, but my insurance did pick up the others....if you don't have good insurance, be sure to check with your local county health department....

Best wishes!

MB37 · Oct 12, 2006

My parents lost all of my medical records a long time ago, and it's not a big deal. You probably need a physical exam before school anyways, and your school will give you a form. It'll say what immunizations you need. We had to have Hep B also. They'll draw blood and run titers on it. If you went to public school in this country you had all the shots, you just have to have the tests run so your school has it on record. Then if you need Hep B shots or anything else, you can have the first one at the same appt.