In order to get into my college to start my nursing career, I am supposed to have proof that I had all of my imunizations. Well, I have no proof, but I am 48 years olds, and I know that I had some kind of shots as a kid, (I can remember getting them, plus I still have the "scar" of an imunization on my upper arm) and I can remember having either the German Measles or the regular Measles as a kid. Now I did read somewhere, that if you were born before 1956, that you didn't need to show proof, but I was born IN 1956, so that excludes me. They said if I can't show proof, I'll have to take them all over again. How did some of you do it?? I would love any suggestions on this matter. As I really don't feel like going through all those shots again. Plus if I do have to take them over again, will they make me sick or anything at my age??
I returned to school for Practical Nursing last August 2004. I was in the same boat at age 49 then, not a single record of my immunizations anywhere. My mom had no idea where they were, hadn't looked for them since I was around 10 years old.
It's cheapest to go down to local health dept. & have them run new vaccines & TB. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to wait around as you must in any gov. facility for an appt. I had mine done by family physician, who's always fast, surprisingly not that expensive. I know I didn't pay more than $40, may have paid less.
We needed proof of MMR, Chicken Pox, TB, Tetnus and Hep B. I had the MMR as a kid but couldn't find any records of it. I didn't have any health insurance - it was cheaper for me to have MMR again through the Public Health Department ($50 per shot for MMR, Hep B, Tetnus & $20 for TB) then to have the titers drawn (was quoted $175). As far as chicken pox, my school accepted a letter from my parent stating I had it when I was a kid.
$50 for a MMR shot? OUCH! My school nurse does them for $5!
I can't find any of my shot records so I had to do the MMR again. Will have to do the TB test within 90 days of starting nursing classes (this fall) I've had chicken pox. I will do the Hep B but it is not "required"
cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN
4,106 Posts
If you already work for a hospital, they will draw all the necessary titers for free! :)