Mandatory Vaccine Waiver in Nursing School/Clinicals

[firecracker_1]

Hey guys, I have a question for anyone else who is a fellow "non-vaccinator" or against mandatory vaccination. What did you do for nursing school, particularly clinical locations immunization requirements? After a lot of research, I've found that while many nurses can sign immunization waivers that are offered by some hospitals, etc., I haven't heard of a nursing student who has successfully avoided vaccination requirements associated with nursing school and clinical facilities.

I am well aware that vaccination is a very controversial subject in the medical field and many feel strongly on both sides of the issue. My intention is not to debate or discuss the merits of vaccinations, but to hear from other nurses and nursing students who challenged the vaccine requirements and how you went about it.

I look forward to hearing from you!

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

tonyl1234 said:

Hepatitis B vaccine is common to have a waiver option for. It's still typically considered an optional vaccine. The rest are really to protect everyone else from you. There's always possible medical reasons why you can't get them, that's going to be up to your school and clinical sites if you can have a medical exception. Just understand that you can be exposed to them.

If you're not doing it because you're afraid you'll become autistic or because a post on facebook said they're unsafe, or having a religious opposition to it, healthcare isn't the field for you... You're already contradicting everything about healthcare by refusing vaccines for those reasons.

I have never heard of a waiver for Hepatitis B. The CDC recommends Hep B for all healthcare workers, including nursing students. If anybody is at risk for a needle-stick, it's a student. I don't understand waiting until you actually get jabbed, before you take the steps to prevent a major cause of liver cancer. You are going to end up with HBiG, a titer level, and vaccine if and when you get stuck.

[Skinurse]

If you are on a biological medicine for psoriatic arthritis such as Humera you are contraindicated for live vaccines. It’s a big no no as you can actually end up contracting the disease. I just got my titers back for nursing school and I am immune to everything and up to date on everything they want but show no immunity to Mumps. I’m not supposed to get that vaccine at this point for medical reasons and I know I got the MMR as required when I was a child but I’m in my 50’s. Those records are probably long gone. My 79 year old mother is searching her file (god love her). I don’t know what the heck I’m going to do. My rhumotologist says live vaccines are not OK for me.

[TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN]

5 hours ago, Skinurse said:

If you are on a biological medicine for psoriatic arthritis such as Humera you are contraindicated for live vaccines. It’s a big no no as you can actually end up contracting the disease. I just got my titers back for nursing school and I am immune to everything and up to date on everything they want but show no immunity to Mumps. I’m not supposed to get that vaccine at this point for medical reasons and I know I got the MMR as required when I was a child but I’m in my 50’s. Those records are probably long gone. My 79 year old mother is searching her file (god love her). I don’t know what the heck I’m going to do. My rhumotologist says live vaccines are not OK for me.

Talk to your school.

Disabilities act MIGHT cover you.