No immunity after Hep B immunization?

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Hey all, I’m a bit confused about something. I applied for the LVN program at Galen and was accepted for Jan 2020. I wanted to get all my records in order early. For whatever reason Texas seems to be doing an overhaul on their immunization records (uploading them to one big database). I’ve tried to get my records for my varicella and mmr immunizations with no luck. I’ve had them years ago but the only thing they found in the system was my completed hep b series. I just decided to just get the titer test instead. Well turns out I have antibodies for EVERYTHING, except Hep B! The doctor said I should start my immunizations again but I will not be done with all three doses before clinicals start. Has anyone experienced this before? What if I get the second round and it still doesn’t show immunity? Am I automatically cut out from becoming a nurse? This is all so odd to me.

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I had a similar thing happen to me and was told that its actually quite common. Just get the titers done relatively soon after you finish the series and you will be good to go! Apparently many people do not retain Hep B immunity...

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31 minutes ago, coco1320 said:

I had a similar thing happen to me and was told that its actually quite common. Just get the titers done relatively soon after you finish the series and you will be good to go! Apparently many people do not retain Hep B immunity...

It isn't that the immunity isn't retained, it's more likely that she or he didn't sero-convert in the first place. Or, as is the case sometimes, you do have antibodies present but not sufficient to hit the "immune" level needed for the titer. The immunity protection is in place for a lifetime, once it is determined you have it at all.

It's not uncommon to have a fourth Hep B shot after a titer shows non-immune, and a month after the fourth shot your titer is positive/immune. I've known some people who had to repeat the entire series of three again, meaning six total shots, but did eventually sero-convert. Rare to not convert at all.

And no this doesn't prevent you from working as a nurse! You just keep the documentation that you have had all the required shots and just are a non-converter. It's for YOUR protection that you get the immunity, they aren't really worried about you giving someone else Hepatitis.

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Thank you all for your replies! It has put my mind at ease. I go in tomorrow to start my second round of Hep B shots.

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On 9/19/2019 at 2:21 AM, chernandez3841 said:

Hey all, I’m a bit confused about something. I applied for the LVN program at Galen and was accepted for Jan 2020. I wanted to get all my records in order early. For whatever reason Texas seems to be doing an overhaul on their immunization records (uploading them to one big database). I’ve tried to get my records for my varicella and mmr immunizations with no luck. I’ve had them years ago but the only thing they found in the system was my completed hep b series. I just decided to just get the titer test instead. Well turns out I have antibodies for EVERYTHING, except Hep B! The doctor said I should start my immunizations again but I will not be done with all three doses before clinicals start. Has anyone experienced this before? What if I get the second round and it still doesn’t show immunity? Am I automatically cut out from becoming a nurse? This is all so odd to me.

Hi! I will also be in the January 2020 LVN program. They have not given me the deadlines yet for immunizations. When I asked admissions they told me don't worry I will be fine, but I wanted to get my Hep B right away.

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12 hours ago, Kimberly Denice Longoria said:

Hi! I will also be in the January 2020 LVN program. They have not given me the deadlines yet for immunizations. When I asked admissions they told me don't worry I will be fine, but I wanted to get my Hep B right away.

You will be at Galen San Antonio????

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7 hours ago, chernandez3841 said:

You will be at Galen San Antonio????

Yes, I'm getting all of my final documents in now.

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