Starting Clinicals, Hepatitis B Vaccine question

[nursegc]

Hello all,

I am beginning my clinicals in January of 2011. I just received my physical today and was presented with the option of the Hepatitis B vaccine. I did some research and found some compelling evidence against taking the series. I would appreciate any and all thoughts on this subject.

Thank you.

[Pyrai]

My experience is that vaccines are a wonderful thing. I've gotten the series and have had NO side-effects. Because you will be at risk in clinical to being exposed to the Hep-B virus, I think that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Ps. Most websites (if you found said evidence on a website) are very hoax-y and will look professionally done or say they have "research studies" but if you check their background, it's usually a bunch of conspiracy theorists!

[2ndyearstudent, CNA]

My experience is that vaccines are a wonderful thing. I've gotten the series and have had NO side-effects. Because you will be at risk in clinical to being exposed to the Hep-B virus, I think that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Ps. Most websites (if you found said evidence on a website) are very hoax-y and will look professionally done or say they have "research studies" but if you check their background, it's usually a bunch of conspiracy theorists!

I am so glad the worm finally turned on this. A year or two ago if this subject was posted, the thread would be absolutely dominated by nut jobs.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

I have had the series twice, no side effects but for some reason they just don't take with me.. After the second set, I had to sign the wavier..

[Start2]

After completing the nonclinical portion of my refresher course, I found out that my titer to Hep B no longer existed due to the passage of time. I had to retake the series before I could advance to clinicals. This delayed my graduation from the course by six months. However, I feel it was well worth it as I am now covered again.

Just my 2cents worth.

:)

[BBRANRN2013, ASN, RN]

My school requires the Hep B series before even starting clinicals. I had the blood titers done, and since had my first Hep B shot (no side effects), my second shot is on November 29. I have four children at home that I can't expose to such dangers. Good luck on your decision.

[CNA2day]

I am against the Flu shot but I opted in for the Heb B shot. I had no complications

[This]

You may argue one way or enough that its unethical to force medical treatment on someone but as Nurses we all must hold ourselves to a higher standard of altruistic precautions even if it means a theoretically small increased risk to yourself. If you don't get your vaccines, your a selfish nurse and endangering your patients by way of the risk of asymptomatic transmission of infectious disease. Annual influenza vaccination is embarrassingly low among nurses, yet studies have shown 1/4 nurses show serological evidence of infection.

Quite browsing those conspiracy theory websites and get the facts.

Mark Crislip, doctor of infectious disease, puts out a lot of good expert information and opinion on vaccines, 100% free of conflicts-of-interest from pharmaceutical companies:

Scheduled vaccines:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=186

Flu vaccine:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=2040

A really thorough breakdown of the REAL antigenic risk:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=289

And be sure to look at Dr. David Gorski's analysis of some of the biggest anti-vax hysteria:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=4431

Now make our profession proud and get your shots! :)

[daynuhRN]

I'm going to tell you what my Nutrition instructor told us, It is so much more likely to get Hep B from a needle stick than HIV. that the virus to blood ratio is pretty large so its easier to contract from a needle stick. I've had my series and I've had no problems with it. I will be starting Nursing school in Jan 2011 and its not required but you do have to sign a waiver saying you understand and are willing to take the risk of not getting the vaccine. To each their own and it is your personal choice, but I would, if you already haven't read up on Hep B and see if thats worth not getting the vaccine. I've also had the Flu shot this year and had no side effects, not even a runny nose. Any drugs or vaccines you take or get can have adverse side-effects from mild to extreme so you just have to weigh the risk. Good luck to you in your Clinicals though we wont start ours until Febuary, we get a nice month dose of class and skills lab before Clinicals

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

At my school it is REQUIRED.

[Felicia327]

I have had the series of 3 shots on two occasions, and yet I still cannot reach the required titer levels....I am about to complete my 1st year in a two year program, so, I don't know anything more to do.

[shortnorthstudent]

What is the compelling evidence that you have found in your research? Without knowing what your concerns are and what the source of your concerns is, it is difficult to comment.

[Bshort73]

I'm pleased to find a recent thread on this topic, and hoping someone can answer my question. I start clinicals Jan '11 and at my school, Hep B vaccine is optional. After consulting my physician, I will start the 3 shot Hep B series next week. I find it concerning that students at my school attend clinicals without receiving this vaccine (a waiver is required if opting out). I questioned my physician as to why it would be optional given how easy it is to come into contact with body fluids, and she couldn't come up with a reason why it is optional as she sees the benefit of having the vaccine outweighs any risk of a side effect.

Does anyone know of any logical reason why Hepatitis B vaccine could be considered optional at any school? I see a few posts that state it is optional at their school, but I'm curious to know the reasoning when we are required to provide proof of immunization/blood titers for so many other diseases.