Not Immune, had Hepatitis Vaccine and Booster!!

Katnip, RN · Jul 2, 2003

Hep B? There are supposed to be two boosters.

NurseLizard · Jul 2, 2003

I had the whole "kit and kaboodle" and an EXTRA booster. Still no immunity! :confused:

kiddoRN · Jul 2, 2003

I've had two series at two different jobs (several years apart) and have never sero-converted. It's documented in my employee file and they were fine with that. I work in peds and so far haven't had a problem being exposed.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2003

You should be tested for Hep B.

I've had the boosters too and am not immune. Turned out I've been carrying hep b for a while. I don't remember getting sick (but flu like symptoms, or no symptoms occur).

If you have Hepatitis B, then getting the boosters would not make you immune. So I would get a hepatitis panel drawn if I were you.

azgirl · Jul 2, 2003

I just had a titer last week and do not have antibodies. They said at the clinic that they are finding this true in mainly people over 40 and its not that unusual. They have now told me to get a second series and after the total of six injections to get another titer.

Sure glad to hear that I am not alone.

RNPD · Jul 2, 2003

posted by azgirl-

.....true in mainly people over 40 and its not that unusual......

Also told this by an ID doc after 2nd series still did not cause me to develop a titer. Was advised by doc not to get any further vaccines for Hep B, as he said it was useless. He never mentioned the possibility of actually having the virus (wouldn't that actually raise a titer?) but I guess it can't hurt to get tested. However, if I recall correctly, my facility required a negative titer prior to beginning the series.

CashewLPN, LPN · Jul 2, 2003

I never seroconverted either.... I took 2 series.. and, an extra one.. and, yes, I was told it was useless....

I also pose the same question as the above... wouldnt it actually raise a titer if you carry the disease?

--Barbara

kiddoRN · Jul 2, 2003

My doc said a high IgM hep titer would mean I have the virus and a high IgG titer would mean that I responded to the vaccinations and developed antibodies. I had neither. So I not only do not have Hep B but I don't have antibodies to fight it if I was exposed in the future.

jemb · Jul 2, 2003

I had two series and the boosters, too. Nothing "took" with me either. At least now I know I have company.

oramar · Jul 2, 2003

I am hearing this story again and again about the newer vaccine. I was told by infection control nurse that she has seen mutiple exposures in people who do not have antibodies but had the vaccine. No one ever got hepatitis. I had the first vaccine that came out(called hepavax) and my titers are sky high even after 20 years. Seems the old vaccine caused high titers.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2003

Gosh i guess I am lucky. I had the series in 86/87 and am still immune. Doc said I don't need a booster.

renerian