Nurses: Mandatory Vaccinations?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it mandatory for nurses to get vaccinations? Or does it depend on the State?

For NYC -- New York State, any nurses know if it is mandatory or optional?

Thanks.

Generally no vaccinations are "mandatory". Then again if you don't have them the employer or school does not have to allow you to work for them or attend their institution either.

Rj

Yes, I am aware that it also depends on where you work. Some places make it mandatory.

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I've taken the Hep B series once, and have refused it at all subsequent hire-ons. I only accepted one flu vaccine, and I was so ill for 3 days (and wasn't allowed to be off work) that I absolutely refuse to take another flu shot.

I thought you only needed the series once in a lifetime to be protected.

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Specializes in Family Practice/Primary Care.
I thought you only needed the series once in a lifetime to be protected.

It does not always take, I had to run the series twice.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Some people never seroconvert, no matter how many times they get the series. This is true for HepB as well as varicella and MMR (or any other viral vax for that matter). There is also evidence that in some people the titer wanes over time. I know at one time CDC was discussing whether to suggest HepB boosters for people after a certain timeframe after the series. Don't think anything ever came of it, but it's an interesting thought.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
We have to show proof that we are immune to measles mumps, chickenpox, etc. We also were asked to get HepB shot, although we can sign a waiver against it. I did get the flu shot and because of my age and a susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, I am going to get the pneumonia shot. I still need to get the tetorifice shot--I realized it's been almost ten years since my last one.

If you're getting a booster, get the TDaP instead (has pertussis protection as well).

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If you're getting a booster, get the TDaP instead (has pertussis protection as well).

Thanks. I'll ask my doctor to give me that.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

Well, I'm pretty sure I don't want to get Hep B, tetorifice, Chicken Pox, or Mumps, so...the vaccines sounded like a pretty good idea at the time.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Yes, I am aware that it also depends on where you work. Some places make it mandatory.

I am aware of that thats why I used the "mandatory" in my response. In other words if you wanna work here you get this otherwise you dont work here.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Some people never seroconvert, no matter how many times they get the series. This is true for HepB as well as varicella and MMR (or any other viral vax for that matter). There is also evidence that in some people the titer wanes over time. I know at one time CDC was discussing whether to suggest HepB boosters for people after a certain timefram after the series. Don't anything anything ever came of it, but it's an interesting thought.

Yeah that was bad, I know someone in the late 80's they gave the HepB series to 3 times before they finally gave up on it. As far as the titer going away I have had be told it would be my option if the titer were low weather to get the series again or not. Knowing how shot 3 made me feel I would more than likely decline.

Rj

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An employer and a program may make vaccinations mandatory as a condition of their employerment or entry into their program. It is done to protect both you and them. I never had some of the vaccinations my grandchildren had, so I had to have titers done before I couyld go into clinical areas in my MSN program.

Woody

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Nursing school was the last time it was ever mandatory for myself to have certain vaccinations.

Employers have asked what vaccinations I have had. I did end up having the Hep series done for a second time, seems I did not convert the first go around.

Fortunately I had all the childhood illnesses that was before there were vaccines for them.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

where i work it is not mandatory, but for our "punishment" we had to watch a 15 min vid on where the flu came from and why it took over the world way back when and everyone died. like i am a child and dont know the risks???? next time, i am going to say i am sick

-H-RN

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