TDAP TITER....HELP!

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I plan on attending nursing school in the summer and I am required to show proof of a recent TDAP booster. I received the booster in 2006 which was less than 10 years ago but I could not locate my records even after calling past schools I attended as well as the health department. So instead of getting re-vaccinated I got a titer. I received the titer results back and it showed my immunity. I turned that into the school and they rejected it stating that even though I am immune I still need to submit proof of vaccination. What I dont understand is, why cant that be used as proof. Since I received a TDAP booster in 2006, that would mean Im not due for another booster until 2016.

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Unfortunately some schools have rules and you have to follow them or you cannot attend there. Just get a booster and be done with it.

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Unfortunately this is probably what you'll have to do unless you can personally speak to someone in charge and plead your case.

I've had 4 PPDs this year AND a Quanterferon Gold test (a highly accurate blood test for TB) and I *STILL* had to get another PPD placed for school. But, luckily since I could prove all the above, I didn't have to get a 2-step lol.

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I'm pretty sure TDAP is a one time vaccine and once you have had it, you should switch to TD boosters, which are every 10yrs. With that said, it's not going to hurt you to just take it again. You probably don't have a choice in it, if you want to attend school and that is their rules. There's no way for you to track down your shot record?

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Tdap is not a one time vaccine. It requires a booster. Thinking it's a one time vaccine is why there are pertussis outbreaks.

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keylimesqueez said:
Tdap is not a one time vaccine. It requires a booster. Thinking it's a one time vaccine is why there are pertussis outbreaks.

Pertussis outbreaks are more a result of unvaccinated people. According to the CDC and ACIP guidelines in the US, Tdap is a one time does in adulthood, followed by TD boosters.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

TDaP titer is not a standard. Usually only HepB MMR and Varicella titers are accepted. Since it's known that boosters are required for TDaP, proof of vaccine is required

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I am kind of surprised that your physician just didn't give you the TDaP instead of ordering a titer. My PCP said "they will charge you 80.00 for a titer or I can give you the vaccine for 0.00 because of your insurance." I skipped the titer.

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My school only accepts titers for the varicella and MMR vaccines. Anything else has to have proof of actual vaccination.

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