Scared of Hep B vaccine

Love-A-Nurse · Oct 14, 2002

i took the first three rotation of shots in 1993 and i was fine. i have taken two this year, in fact the other day i took my second rotation, and i am still fine.

my records were not available and i opt to take the three rotations again for getting into school.

LPN2639 · Oct 14, 2002

Thank you.....that helps....a little!

shabookitty · Oct 14, 2002

I took all three and it was a breeze...no pain or sickness. I am from also from Georgia! What part do you lay claim to! haha! I am living in Thomasville now...but I am originally from Brunswick. Nice to meet ya!

Vsummer1 · Oct 14, 2002

I had no problem, and was GLAD to get them! Getting Hep B is much worse ... lets see... potential life-threatening disease, shot, potential life-threatening disease...

SHOT! Yep, no doubts. They were nothing, really!

Agnus · Oct 14, 2002

I've gone through the entire series 3 times now. (I do not show a titer) I am not going through it again, even though I have a negative titer because after so many times I am likely to develope an allergic reaction. However, CDC says I still could be immune. It is like any immunization if it is warmed a little (it is refrigated) it is less painful. If a small gage needle is used it is less likely to be uncomfortable. If it is injected slowly it is less uncomfortable. The same nurse can give it to you more than onec and one time it will hurt another it will not.

Never had and never knew anyone with a bad reaction.

I would be more concerned with the consequences of not taking it. Hope this helps.

You don't have to take it you know. If you need time to prepare yourself emoationally or what ever you have the right to take that time. You can take it later. You have that right.

Vsummer1 · Oct 15, 2002

"You don't have to take it you know. If you need time to prepare yourself emoationally or what ever you have the right to take that time. You can take it later. You have that right."

Yes, you do have that right. But not if you want to work in the facililty! At least that was my choice... get the shots or don't go to the facility. My choice.

RainbowSkye · Oct 15, 2002

I had my first hepatitis B vaccine in the early eighties when it first came out (and when there was a chance of actually getting hepatitis or worse from it). I had no problems. I actually had to get a booster a couple of years ago because my titer was so low (got the new vaccine that time - no problems with that either). Now, I'm not a great fan of taking medications I may not need, but I'm an ER nurse and really prefer to avoid hepatitis.

I've given a million or so hep B vaccines and have never seen a bad reaction (not to say they couldn't occur). Have seen several people die of hepatitis though.

Good luck. And I agree with Val - if you choose not to take the vaccine, find a job where you will never have contact with bodily fluids.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Oct 15, 2002

Piece of cake. I took them and had very little problems. Local soreness at the injection site, and felt a little tired the day after the second one, like feeling a cold coming on but it went away. It wasn't a big deal. Go ahead. You'll be glad. The number of people you come into contact with that have hepatitis or have been exposed to it are quite large over a period of years.

willie2001 · Oct 15, 2002

I know how you feel. I have a terrible phobia about being on the receiving end of a needle. But I did take the 3 shot series and had no problems. I would rather experience a little soreness after the shots than contract Hep B.

RNConnieF · Oct 15, 2002

Piece of cake, not only have I had all 4 (I needed 4 to convert), I had my kids done even before it was mandated. I used to give the Hep B shot to day old 4 lb. infants without any problems. Get the shots.

prmenrs, RN · Oct 15, 2002

Take tylenol if you want, but definitely GET VACCINATED. If you knew the devastating things Hepatitis B can cause (including DEATH w/in 48 hours of onset), you'd be running in there, begging them for it. Close your eyes, do some deep breathing, stay calm, you'll be fine. At this point, the most important thing is to RELAX!