Immunizations! Argh!

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Okay, this is probably going to sound like a very dumb concern, but here goes:

I am in the process of completing all of the required background/health checks for admissions to my nursing program this fall. I notice on the physical form there is a section devoted to immunizations. Some of the immunization blanks require childhood immunization record (ie, the required shot should have been given in my childhood and the blank requires the date of the shot).

Here is my problem--I only ever saw my "family doctor" regularly when I was a little kid (under 10 years old). Since that time about 15 years has passed and his office has closed. He would be the one to have administered my immunizations... how the heck do I track down a record of them?

Is this something that my highschool (I'm 26 now) would still have on record? What happens if you just plain can't find/obtain a copy of your childhood immunizations?

I'm hoping someone out there may have run into a similar problem and can explain how this will work for me. I know it's silly but I'm really stressing about this because I thought my due date for my checks was June 1st and it's not, it's May 1st, which means I have to get this done and get it done quickly.

Thanks for any advice :rolleyes:

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You could try calling the Nursing office of your program and asking them what you would need to do if you can't get a copy of your immunizations. They should be able to tell... Good Luck

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Your high school should still have the records........it may take a few days to obtain them. Even your junior high school, just depends on which keeps the better records.

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Don't worry about all of this!

I have just recently had to to this myself...

Go to the doctor to get yoour physical and tell them your situtation. They can draw blood and do a titer on those immunizations to see if you are resistant to them. If not then they immunize you.

Call your doctor.

Pasha :)

Okay, this is probably going to sound like a very dumb concern, but here goes:

I am in the process of completing all of the required background/health checks for admissions to my nursing program this fall. I notice on the physical form there is a section devoted to immunizations. Some of the immunization blanks require childhood immunization record (ie, the required shot should have been given in my childhood and the blank requires the date of the shot).

Here is my problem--I only ever saw my "family doctor" regularly when I was a little kid (under 10 years old). Since that time about 15 years has passed and his office has closed. He would be the one to have administered my immunizations... how the heck do I track down a record of them?

Is this something that my highschool (I'm 26 now) would still have on record? What happens if you just plain can't find/obtain a copy of your childhood immunizations?

I'm hoping someone out there may have run into a similar problem and can explain how this will work for me. I know it's silly but I'm really stressing about this because I thought my due date for my checks was June 1st and it's not, it's May 1st, which means I have to get this done and get it done quickly.

Thanks for any advice :rolleyes:

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Awesome everyone! Thanks for the ideas and advice!!!

Since I'm in such a hurry to get this done, I think I'll call around Monday and investigate all of your suggestions. I hate when I feel like I don't understand a situation or know how to handle it--and I don't really have anyone I can rely on for advice on stuff like this. Your replies are invaluable to me!

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

I had the same situation. My doctor died back in the 80's. My high school had my record, and these were accepted by the school.

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Specializes in L&D.
Don't worry about all of this!

I have just recently had to to this myself...

Go to the doctor to get yoour physical and tell them your situtation. They can draw blood and do a titer on those immunizations to see if you are resistant to them. If not then they immunize you.

Call your doctor.

Pasha :)

Yes, I did the same thing.

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Jen and Pasha--

In your cases, what did your doctor write on the school's immunization form for the blanks where childhood immunizations are required? Did he just notate something stating that you showed resistance and had therefore been immunized? Just out of curiousity (and since I'm pressed for time to complete this stuff), I'm wondering how long this process took? Did he check the resistance right there as you waited or did you have to wait for blood work to come back? Thanks so much for bringing this option up! Hearing how others managed to get through the same situation really helps. From looking at the way the form is set up I would have never thought the school would accept something like that.

It always seems like when some horrible revelation or deadline comes up, it happens on a weekend and none of the places that I need to call are open. I can't wait until monday to get this straightened out. I could kill myself for confusing my deadlines, I feel like a total moron. :uhoh3:

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For me he checked off the childhood vaccinations with date. For the Vericella he had to check if I had the pox as a child then take blood to see if I had antibodies too. It took a few days for the blood work to come back.

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All you have to do is go to a doctor and have your titers drawn. These are blood tests that will show if you have antibodies made against the different diseases that we immunize for. That's what I always have to do because I was a foster child and have no clue where to even look for records! SG

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I ran into a similar problem. my old school district doesn't keep immunizations records for students once they graduate. everything was put into a computer. and all it said was that i had my shots. my nursing school wasn't impressed by this so i visited my doc and he did the blood test. I wouldn't worry I am sure they run into this all the time. everything will work out.

Kris

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Specializes in LDRP.

I was 22 when i got those immunization records from my high school. thank goodness i still live in teh same city i went to high school in. I just went to the R****** City Schools administration building-they have an office in there just for transcripts, and I got my immunization records out of hte transcript. They sent them directly on, I didnt get them. I had to pay 5 dollars, also. THat was for my nurse externship, though. My nursing school required 2 PPD's, a rubella titer, teatnus shot, and the Hep B series

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