Now tetanus booster...

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I just found out that my school is now "requiring" the tetorifice booster or proof that you've had the vaccine within 10 years. Why??? It's not contagious, so I don't understand why they're adding this into what they want done. Any ideas? Irritates me that they try and force people to do this.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Short answer: 'cos lockjaw's a b*tch.

Long answer: Tetorifice isn't transmissible, but a puncture wound (from any object capable of producing a puncture wound) can introduce tetorifice into an anaerobic environment. Tetorifice is a facultative anaerobe which, to save you a google search, means that it can live with or without the presence of oxygen. The problem is that when tetorifice is in anaerobic mode, it produces a number of neurotoxins that aren't fun to deal with. Keeping your tetorifice vaccine up-to-date is much less painful than being unable to move because your muscles are all contracting against each other.

Further, the Tetorifice vaccine is not administered alone, but with pertussis and diphtheria, both of which are communicable diseases, the former of which is rather harmful to infants.

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Yes I understand all that you're saying. The chances of getting tetorifice, just like any other disease is pretty slim. Yes, I worry about the neurotoxins but I more worry about the toxins in the vaccine. I know the laws make it an option to get the vaccine, I just wish schools would make it seem like an option instead of "requiring" these vaccines.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

You're worried more about the minute amount of toxins in a vaccine used to prime the immune system than large amounts which will overwhelm it? Methinks your perception of risk is a bit skewed. Go sit in a 300 or 400-level immunology class and the vaccine regime will make a lot more sense.

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And you're more worried about the minute chance of catching the disease. We all see things a different way. And no, I don't think formeldyhyde and mercury primes anything in our body....only damages it. I've sat through my nursing classes and micro so far and not surprisingly was only taught one side of the vaccine issue...to get the vaccines, vaccines are safe and effective etc etc. It's ok, I don't blame you or anyone else for the way they feel on this issue....you are what you're taught. I have respect for you, so please have respect for me. I came here to vent on this issue about being "forced" to get yet another vaccine that won't effect anyone but myself...so I see no point. Thanks.

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

I see your point regarding the risks and benefits of vaccines and respect your right to choose. That right also extends to your right to choose not to attend this particular school and the school's right not to allow people who refuse to meet their requirements to continue.

At this point in the U.S., higher education is a privilege, not a right, like elementary and secondary education.

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I feel like a pincushion! Ive had to get 7 different pokes these past two weeks to get into NS! Lol I had chickenpox as a child but apparantly it wasnt strong? enough to give my immunity because I failed my titer. That was shot #5, lol.

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I see your point regarding the risks and benefits of vaccines and respect your right to choose. That right also extends to your right to choose not to attend this particular school and the school's right not to allow people who refuse to meet their requirements to continue.

At this point in the U.S., higher education is a privilege, not a right, like elementary and secondary education.

You should've stopped typing after the 1st sentence. So you're saying I shouldn't attend any school? Because from what I've seen every school "requires" something. I don't think it's right to say "gee don't go to school because you don't like their rules". I'm NOT going stop my dreams because of this.....I just needed to vent and should've known better then to come here of all places.

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I feel like a pincushion! Ive had to get 7 different pokes these past two weeks to get into NS! Lol I had chickenpox as a child but apparantly it wasnt strong? enough to give my immunity because I failed my titer. That was shot #5, lol.

Crazy huh? :/

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Specializes in LDRP.
And you're more worried about the minute chance of catching the disease. We all see things a different way. And no, I don't think formeldyhyde and mercury primes anything in our body....only damages it. I've sat through my nursing classes and micro so far and not surprisingly was only taught one side of the vaccine issue...to get the vaccines, vaccines are safe and effective etc etc. It's ok, I don't blame you or anyone else for the way they feel on this issue....you are what you're taught. I have respect for you, so please have respect for me. I came here to vent on this issue about being "forced" to get yet another vaccine that won't effect anyone but myself...so I see no point. Thanks.

Are you against getting the tetorifice booster because you're worried about having a reaction to it? I avoid getting the flu vaccine because my mom always has really bad and extreme reactions to the flu vaccine, and I share most of her health problems. However, I know that my NS will be strongly encouraging (if not requiring?) us to get the flu vaccine this fall and I'm willing to comply.

I have always been wary of vaccines as well, so I talked in great length about them with my microbiology professor when I took the class last year. She told me that vaccines no longer contain mercury and she encourages all of her students to get any recommended vaccines.

This is a difficult issue to make a decision about because I have heard SO many arguments for AND against getting vaccines. However, I tend to take more seriously the people involved in healthcare and those highly educated in microbiology. Thus, I trust my professor's advice, and if hospitals and nursing school faculty members are highly recommending that I get these vaccines, then I trust their medical opinion that the vaccines are safe and effective (and maybe even necessary) for hospital workers and nursing students.

In any case, if your school is only *suggesting* that you get the vaccine, then don't feel obligated to do so. If they actually require the vaccine, then they should say so.

There are certain things that NS requires that I feel strongly about (like disclosing your medical history and any meds you are taking), but when it comes to vaccines, I feel differently because everyone's body reacts differently to them. So if you have a big problem with getting the booster and you're worried that your school will *require* you to, maybe you can talk to a faculty member to express your concerns.

Hope it works out for you! :clown:

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Further, the Tetorifice vaccine is not administered alone, but with pertussis and diphtheria, both of which are communicable diseases, the former of which is rather harmful to infants.

Tetorifice is given as a stand alone vaccine as a booster in older children and adults.

And you're more worried about the minute chance of catching the disease. We all see things a different way. And no, I don't think formaldehyde and mercury primes anything in our body....only damages it.
So request preservative vaccines, your health department can order them for you if your doctor won't. Formaldehyde is a byproduct of metabolism and the body has a mechanism for excreting it.

Nearly all vaccines manufactured for use in the US are thiomersol free.

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

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Tetorifice shot was required for my school. I can still remember the soreness from that freaking shot. Oy.

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