Hep B vaccine ??

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Will be starting PA program in Phili, Pa. soon and I am told I will run into many problems with doing clinicals without having the Hep B vaccine ? Has anyone run into this problem ?

Thanks

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Many schools require it. Other schools allow you to sign a waiver that you understand the risks of not getting the vacine but choose not to. Ask your school. Good luck.

moved to a forum where you can get more responses.

suebird :)

the school i go to requires a hep B vaccine and I got mine today they're ok they leave you with mild discomfort in the arm but nothing major and plus it protects you from getting hepatitis B so i recommend getting it

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I understand many of the reasons why someone might not want to take the vaccine, however, I have seen a couple of colleagues who got Hep B from exposure to contaminated blood of patients. Hep B is more prevalent than AIDS among the population engaged in many of the risky social behaviors--many of whom are frequent patients of the healthcare system. You don't want to take the chance of becoming a statistic. It only takes a second to receive a needle stick no matter how many precautions you take. I was harpooned with a needle on a syringe filled with blood through no fault of my own by someone holding a syringe who wasn't paying attention as she walked right into me as I was minding my own business starting an IV on someone--never saw her coming. Years ago in a freak accident before the newer needle protection systems, I had a syringe fall from my hands, bounce on the top of the medicine cart, fly up and the needle make a through and through entry and exit into the fleshy part of one of my index fingers while I was attempting to re-cap it. Didn't plan that or see it coming either. Those are just two of the memorable sticks. There were plenty of "little" ones similar to getting pricked by a sewing needle that I wouldn't even sneeze at. None were ever deliberate, some were carelessness, but they all happened so quickly that they were over before there was a chance to protect myself. Hep B is a nasty disease. IF--IF you survive it, your life will never be the same. Take the vaccine. It's usually free to healthcare workers and students in the healthcare careers.

The school I want to go to requires it, which I thought was a little odd given most employers have you sign a waicer if you don't want it. But, IMO, its better to be prtected.

It's very strongly recommended at my school, so I'm getting it. I understand the possible risk of transmission. I don't want the disease. I'd say, protect yourself, even if your school does not require this vaccine.

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Here is a good link about HepB:

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/hepb.pdf

Thankfully 95% of adults fully recover from HepB (50% having no symptoms at all) and then have life long immunity.

It is the 5% who become chronic and risk liver damage/cancer. Approx 25% of those who are chronic go on to have liver cancer.

I think it is always best to educate yourself about the disease first and also the vaccine and weigh the pros and cons and your risk factors.

Interesting...my school doesn't require it either..but it highly recommends it.

its for your protection...

remember you should love yourself before others.. means above all think for your safety... and vaccination is for your safety.

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