Immunizations

LandD_RN_chica · May 20, 2013

You need to get your titers drawn and see if you are immune. If you are then great that's fine. If you're not you have to start the 3 part series all over again.

babygyrl9706 · May 20, 2013

Hello, for my program I need the three dose series, but only had two shot series years ago. They told me to just get the third shot because the Hep B shots never expires. The other post is correct, you would have to get a titer to make sure you're immune, because some people have a hard time becoming immune, even after a series of Hep B shots. Contact your nursing admissions dept. to explain your situation. Good luck:)

i♥words · May 20, 2013

I got mine when I was a baby (couple of decades ago) and all I had to do was provide my program with proof of that vaccination. No titers needed.

sweetstrwbrry1 · May 20, 2013

Yeah my program you can actually decline. I just want to make sure I'm protected. I may have to get the titer done but I can't afford anything right now that I don't 100% need. I meet to pay for the varicella titer bc that is for sure required.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 20, 2013

Check with your local health department as they may have low/no cost HepB vaccines and/or titers. I know my sister needed extra vaccines for her allied health master's degree and lived in a county with very low vaccination rates and some rather high disease rates. Her co-pays for vaccines as an adult were rather high but since it was a public health issue in her area she was able to get vaccines and titers for very low cost at the county health department. All it took was a couple of phone calls to find the information.

It's a possible option, also check with your school as some schools make arrangements with local labs/clinics to offer affordable vaccinations/titers/Tb screens to incoming students.

Your options may vary based upon your location in the US. Good luck.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 20, 2013

I had my Hep B vaccines about 20 yrs ago. I got titer for Hep B. It just showed immune or not immune, there was no level of immunity like there were with measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 20, 2013

My vaccine records were lost in Hurricane Andrew years ago. And since most of them were completed in the 70s/80s before records were put on computer, I had to get my titers drawn to prove I had previous immunizations.

I was surprised that I had to get an MMR booster! (I'm 43, last booster was in 1979) The TDAP was still good, as well as Varicella & Hep A. When I was a kid, they didn't routinely give Hep B, so I had to start the series. Getting my last one in a few weeks and I'll be all done...yay! Got a flu shot last Nov., so next one isn't due yet.

Have to turn in my immunization paperwork by July 7th, so I want to get it all done as soon as possible. One less thing to worry about before nursing school starts

LandD_RN_chica · May 20, 2013

Definitely just get the titers. As far as blood levels and schools who just accept the proof that you were immunized, they shouldn't do that. You could not be immune anymore, or it could have never taken. I wasn't immune to MMR, varicella, or hep when I was previously. One year my blood was immune, the next it wasn't. For some reason it stays in my system for awhile and then disappears. I can't be the only one. It is much better to be safe than sorry. I've had the hep b series three times now because I become immune and then a few years later my immunity drops off. I know my dr told me not to take the series anymore but if it protects me for just a few years ill take a few needles for the protection. Good luck. Titers is where to start. I suggest everyone get them, whether ur school requires it or not. Just to be sure you are immune. A shot doesn't guarantee lifetime immunity.

seahawksfanguy · May 20, 2013

I just got done with all my shot/immunization requirements. its a long list and i had alot missing. If u have insurance it may cover it under a doctors visit copay. Call insurance to ask. Health departments may have affordable shots too. if the question is whether your immune, get the titer. I had to have 3 part which luckily i had in middle school. But my school makes you get 3 shots AND a titer for hep b.

MommaTy · May 20, 2013

Go to your doctor office and ask for titers to be drawn. That will tell you if you are still "immune". Good luck :)

Sadala, ADN, RN · May 20, 2013

I had both the complete series of hep b and hep a shots several years ago. However... I couldn't find my records, my former physician is deceased, and his records are awol. So... I had to either be re-vaccinated with the hep b series or have titers drawn. In my case, cheaper to re-vaccinate, so that's what I did. Otherwise, I def would have just gone with the titers.