Titers or vaccines?

3kids · Jul 27, 2008

At my school we also have to show proof of titers...and the cost wasn't that bad ($70). Part of the reason for getting titers is to show you are immune against whatever you are vaccinated for. For example, I have had all of my immunizations, yet when my titers were done, I was not immune to mumps (and yes I had MMRs growing up). So I had to be re-vaccinated, and have another titer drawn a couple of months later.

So just because you are vaccinated for something does not mean that you are immune to the disease.

AtomicWoman · Jul 27, 2008

Did your nursing program have required titers or just the MMR vaccine? Ours is saying they must have titers (that a $600 bill waiting to happen) I would think the shots provide an equal insurance of preventing virus contraction in the students right? If you test neg in titers then you have to be vaccinated anyway...sooo why not just let us get the shot only and save money?!?
BTW I have written in twice to my lead nurses and they simply answer with "must have titers"..are they retarded or am I losing my mind here? I just don't get this logic.

Every program I applied to required titers. Even if you have proof of the vaccination, they want to see that your body has developed sufficient antibodies to the virus(es). Some people get the vaccination and still don't have sufficient immunity, so that's why they are insisting on titers. Sorry! I understand your frustration.

KarmaInMotion · Jul 27, 2008

maybe try a clinic with a lab there and let them know it is for school? That might help cost wise.

kakykeke · Jul 27, 2008

At my school we also have to show proof of titers...and the cost wasn't that bad ($70). Part of the reason for getting titers is to show you are immune against whatever you are vaccinated for. For example, I have had all of my immunizations, yet when my titers were done, I was not immune to mumps (and yes I had MMRs growing up). So I had to be re-vaccinated, and have another titer drawn a couple of months later.
So just because you are vaccinated for something does not mean that you are immune to the disease.

Ditto, I was the same way. Had my MMR growing up but my titers showed I was not immune. Our program only asked to have verification of vaccination, but because I didnt have the proper documentation I had to get the titers done. It wasn't an outrageous price either.. I think I paid more for the dr. visit then the lab cost :)

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

Had my MMR as a child. But the college I was taking classes at required that all people who were vaccinated before 19XX had to have titers drawn.

Just because you have had the vaccine does not mean you are immume to the disease/illness vaccinated for.

I also had to have titers drawn for LPN school for proof against MMR.

shrimpchips, LPN · Jul 27, 2008

Either/or is acceptable is at my school. If you don't have proof of an immunization then you must get a titre to prove your immunity to the disease, unless it's for something like the Hep B series, and if you've never gotten that then chances are you will need to.

Luckily I'm all up to date on everything except that I didn't know when I had chickenpox so they had to do a titre to make sure I had the disease/have immunity to it, which I do :)

newbie08 · Jul 28, 2008

With my school, if you didn't have at least 2 MMR shots as a child (and the first one had to be on or after your 1st birthday) then you had to have titers drawn. I knew I would have to have another one because I only received one as a child. I had titers pulled before I got the shot and my measles immunity was ok but I didn't have immunity to mumps or rubella.

If your school is saying you need titers then I would go ahead and get them. They shouldn't be too expensive and then you'll know for sure.

LMRN10 · Jul 28, 2008

Yes, many titres!! And a HepB Series as well, followed by a titre. The health center at our school offered them at a fraction of the price, as well as the TB test and tetorifice (free). So, check there - if not, check the health department or something like that in your community.

Unfortunately, there is a lot to get ready for nursing school and this is just one...my books cost way more than getting all this done!!!

Transgender_n_TN · Jul 28, 2008

Mine required the titers, and suggested getting the booster if you aren't too sure. I went on and got the booster to save trouble with the titers later on. :)

puresass · Jul 28, 2008

my school required either shot records or titers. i was only missing one, so i had the titer drawn at the health center at school & paid something like $10. super cheap.

Julian C. Land · Jun 9, 2010

Original poster, Barbe, wrote:

If you test neg in titers then you have to be vaccinated anyway...sooo why not just let us get the shot only and save money?!?

I realize this is a 2008 thread, and I am typing this in 2010, but I am betting many folks read the archives, so contributing is worth while in my view...

I would caringly and respectfully challenge the idea Barb noted, the idea that you can save money by just getting the vaccines and avoiding the titers. The reason is this:

Vaccines have a risk associated with them. So it's important to not take injections unless absolutely necessary. I would most definitely get the titers, even if it costs money you feel you don't have. I would beg, borrow, and steal (not really steal!) to get the money for titers, and the wonderful folks who suggest ways to get them at low cost really helps me, because I am faced with this issue, as we all are.

If you need motivation to take the extra steps to get the titers, read Saying No To Vaccines by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, and The Sanctity of Human Blood by Tim O'Shea.

So sad when the unlucky folks suffer the consequences and risks of vaccines; I realize most people don't suffer severe acute injury, but perhaps many of us actually do suffer long term negative consequences that we aren't aware of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4MIm1mB7GM