Pertussis Vaccine?

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I had a terrible reaction to the pertussis vaccine as a child (super high fever, swelling), so I cannot get it again. Will I still be able to enter the field of nursing? Many programs state you have to have a pertussis booster, but I am wondering if some would accept a titer. Does anyone have experience with this.

PS. I also really want to reiterate the reason I don't want to get a pertussis booster is because I CAN'T, not because I don't want to. I'm totally pro-vaccine and I'm happy to get any other vaccinations I need.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Techniques for vaccine manufacture have changed over the years. Have you been recently tested to see if you still have a reaction? I'm reactive/sensitive to a lot of substances, but there have been changes over time.

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Specializes in Emergency.

The hospital I volunteer with accepts titers. The whole point is to have a high enough titer count to be immune to the illness, not matter if it was from the vaccine or exposure. I had the chicken pox, so I opted for a titer check and was able to skip the vaccine.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Your best bet will be to contact the schools that you want to apply to and find out their requirements.

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