Immunizations for nurses

The Hep. B is once, and I believe the MMR is as well.

Thanks Tweety. There was a young lady assisting the nurse today who gave me my last Hep. shot. She said it lasted for 5 years, but I wanted to double check with you all on that. YAHOO! I am glad I will never have to get it again!! It made me a bit jittery today. Glad the Hep. B shots are over with!!

Thanks again! Epona

You can ask your doc about checking a titer in a few months to make sure you responded to the vaccine.

I tested immune after a needle stick last year a full 16 years after my vac.

Thanks Tweety. There was a young lady assisting the nurse today who gave me my last Hep. shot. She said it lasted for 5 years, but I wanted to double check with you all on that.

One of the hospitals I worked for last year required a titer if it had been over five years since receiving the vaccine. Perhaps that is what she was referring to?

From the CDC:

Booster Doses

• Current data show that vaccine-induced hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels may decline over time; however, immune memory (anamnestic anti-HBs response) remains intact indefinitely following immunization. Persons with declining antibody levels are still protected against clinical illness and chronic disease.
  
• For health care workers with normal immune status who have demonstrated an anti-HBs response following vaccination, booster doses of vaccine are not recommended nor is periodic anti-HBs testing.

Post-vaccination Testing

• After routine vaccination of infants, children, adolescents, or adults post-vaccination testing for adequate antibody response is not necessary.
  
• Post-vaccination testing IS recommended for persons whose medical management will depend on knowledge of their immune status.

This includes persons who:

• are immunocompromised (e.g., hemodialysis patients)
  
• received the vaccine in the buttock
  
• are infants born to HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)-positive mothers
  
• are healthcare workers who have contact with blood
  
• are sex partners of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

• Post-vaccination testing should be completed 1-2 months after the third vaccine dose for results to be meaningful. A protective antibody response is 10 or more milliinternational units (>=10mIU/mL).

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/factvax.htm

I tested immune after a needle stick last year a full 16 years after my vac.

I did too; some hospitals require a titer though.

From the CDC's website, a quite reputable source: For health care workers with normal immune status who have demonstrated an anti-HBs response following vaccination, booster doses of vaccine are not recommended nor is periodic anti-HBs testing http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/factvax.htm

I did too; some hospitals require a titer though.

True and it's not a bad idea. My point was that the shot wasn't necessary in five year increments and the poster was given false information.

Great minds think alike, love the CDC link.

True and it's not a bad idea. My point was that the shot wasn't necessary in five year increments and the poster was given false information.

Great minds think alike, love the CDC link.

Indeed.

I don't know what that 'five year' thing was all about... perhaps they were referring to other vaccines? Tetorifice maybe (although that is 10 years without injury, I think, 5 with an exposure)?

On almost every assignment, I've had to have some sort of weird blood titers or vaccines done. Before I started this one, I was required to take a diptheria vaccine (even though I'd been vaccinated as a child). WTH?

i had a test several years after 3 vaccines regimen due to a needle stick..doc said that the vaccines were probably effective even if titer was not noted

however i had no test after the last vaccine so i don't what would have shown up then

I have recieved the Hep B series 3 times and never converted with any of them. My infection control nurse finally said to just give it up and avoid needlesticks.

:balloons:

Thanks everyone! You are the BEST! I ALWAYS get great info. and advice here. :) I'll mark this page and refer back to it. I'll have that test done in a few months to see if I am immune.

Thanks everyone! Have a great night!!