Is there a way to speed up Hep B series?

[dbabz]

Hello All,

I was admitted to nursing school at the beginning of May and the deadline for all of the "admin" (drug test, CPR certification, immunizations, etc) is 7/15. I have just learned that I am negative for Hep B antibodies and the series time frame is six months! I am supposed to start school in September. Does anyone know if there is a way to speed up the process for the three shots?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

You need to discuss this with your private physician and the school as to whether an alternative dosing schedule is appropriate and acceptable.

Many schools will allow a student to move forward with the first two shots a month apart if the third is scheduled. But this is program dependent as well as your current health status

[Extra Pickles]

You'll want to ask your provider about having a titer drawn after your first shot because if you're one of those people who don't convert after 3 shots but do convert after a booster fourth it'd be good to know before having more shots you might not need. You might have tested negative for immunity because the antibody level was below the threshold for immunity but doesn't mean you might not have some immunity from having had one or two of the series already.

Can't know this naturally from a message forum but it's something to talk to your provider about.

[dbabz]

Thanks! Just checked and they are willing to accept the series in progress as long as I have the first.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Thanks! Just checked and they are willing to accept the series in progress as long as I have the first.

Yes, that is the usual. Make sure you put a reminder into your calendar about when to get the second and third shot and when to get the titer drawn.