Problem with Hep B Titer

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I'm an upcoming nursing student and I recently finished my hep b vaccine series. However, after having my final vaccination and follow up testing, it looks like my hep b titer is nonexistent - I'm also negative for the Hep B surface antigen, which means I have no acute or chronic infection. Another girl in my class didn't have the antibodies after the 3 series either (she is from a totally different area/different doctor) - which is strange, considering how most people our age seroconvert. Anyways, I received some counseling from my doctor about hep b and the option to repeat the series, but no info as to why this happened. I'm a young male, don't smoke and I'm not overweight. Does anybody have any idea why this might have happened and if it will be a problem for nursing school if I never end up making hep b antibodies? Thanks guys.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

A few of my friends had this problem in NS too... it just took 2 series to get immunity.

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

Some people just don't, which is why many places require titers for personnel that are at high risk for exposure. Your school should be fine with a physician's note saying that you're repeating the series as long as you continue to provide them with documentation about further vaccinations and titers.

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Specializes in NICU.

I didn't have to repeat the series after I had a negative titer, it only took one more dose.

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