Post Hep. B Vac. Series and testing for Antibodies

Published

I was just getting a physical yesterday for a summer externship. When the nurse practioner was going over my vaccination schedule she noted that I had finished up my Hep. B Vaccination series in the fall. She asked me to get a copy of my Titre results that were taken after I completed the series.

The problem is, I never had a blood test done after the series to see if I had Antibodies. My doctor and the nurse never even suggested this. I told her that and she seemed surprised.

It makes me wonder, should you get a titre done right after receiving the series? Is this just an extra precaution for Health Care Workers? I just assumed that if you followed the vac. schedule to a "T" then you automatically had the antibodies.

I went to their lab and had blood drawn to test for Hep. B and C. Should I worry that I don't have a resistance to Hep. B? Those shots hurt like the dickens, don't want to have to go through them again.

Thanks for you opinions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

I thought after receiving the series that I was done for good. About 8 years later, I was tested and had to have another one done. I had the first two of the series done in Colorado. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We moved to Ohio and I had the third in the series done. It hurt like the dickens and I got sick (flu-like sx).

The latest one I got was not bad and I did not get sick. I think I will get tested again every few years as long as I stay in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had titres drawn during post needle stick workup- discovered i needed a booster... and so it continued. After my FOURTH booster, then titre, etc I gave up. The employee health nurse said it is possible that some people can have neg titres, no matter how many boosters, series etc. (hope that made sense)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is another active thread on this same subject: https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63755

I'll copy & paste my post from there:

I have had the series twice plus several "boosters and never converted. The ID consultant for my last employer said that I am "probably" immune :rolleyes:.

My younger 2 kids dad also didn't convert, at one point I was told "not to bother" vaccinating them as they "probably" won't convert either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got the first series in 9th grade since it was required at our high school. Never knew I wasn't protected until I went for bloodwork 3-4 years later. Did the series of 3 shots again and decided to have titres drawn and again no immunity. How weird, and no one has a good explaination. My doctor decided to write medically excempt on my physical form because he tried twice and it didn't work. He felt it wasn't necessary to put me through the series a third time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your informative responses. I never would have thought that it does not work for everybody.

I also didn't have a problem with the first two shots, but the third and final one really was painful.

Thanks,

Col

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Wound Care.

Another immune one here!! Full series twice and then two boosters! No more for me!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

My school has provided the HepB series to us at no charge through the hospital's employee health service. Blood draws for antibodies are then drawn at the lab 30 days after the 3rd shot. I assumed this was standard ...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.
My school has provided the HepB series to us at no charge through the hospital's employee health service. Blood draws for antibodies are then drawn at the lab 30 days after the 3rd shot. I assumed this was standard ...

over here anti-bodies are checked 6mths after 3rd vacc. the older you are the less likely you are to sero-convert! over 40's particulary have a problem!!

Karen

Up Vote Up Vote ×

INTERESTING REPLY BY KAREN G .I WAS IN MY FORTIES WHEN I HAD THE SERIES OF IMMUNIZATION, FOLLOWED BY TWO BOOSTERS AND STILL WAS SERO NEGATIVE. IS IT POSSIBLE BY THAT STAGE IN LIFE WE HAVE A NATURAL IMMUNITY?:rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion