Vaccine requirements

Published

I have had the chicken pox several times. The last time I was 11 and sick enough to spend about a week in the hospital. Fortunatly, evidently that was enough to develop some immunity because I have not had them since. the variceilla vaccine, or immunity is required. So do I just go to public health and get the vaccines or should I go to the doc and have the tider drawn?? I'm guessing the cost is about the same. I still need a 3rd hep b and a TD so I will be there at least once already. WWYD??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you need titer's done for the school? ours required them so I had no choice. If they just want to make sure you have had the shot, honestly just take the shot if you are in a time crunch or have no health insurance. Costs less than getting a titer done and you will be all set to go for your school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have the option to do the titer or do the vaccine. It is a two shot series so it means dragging my 2 kids with me to public health for an additional trip. I am not in a time crunch but trying to get things lined up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None yet.

I have a similar question. My only 'official' record of having the HepB series is a hand written shot record from over a decade ago. This worked for the CNA school I went to but will it count at a real school? I have a titer for Rubella from when I was pregnant but will they want me to get another titer for Measles and Mumps since the three are in one vax?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess I need to call and clarify what I need to have. I had an MMR update when I went to college but that was more than a decade ago?? The Hep series seems that the titer is not reliable, as in the titer number can be low but still have active immunity when challenged??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Get the varicella titer; I had chicken pox once as a child and had a positive titer, so no vaccine required. They should be able to give you your boosters that you still need plus draw any titers you want them to draw in the same day. Just call the school, clarify which vaccines they require, and go get'em! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can't provide documentation that you had chicken pox? I just needed my doctor to note when I'd had chicken pox and that was enough for my school. I know every school is different, but I would double check. If that's not enough, I'd get a titre instead of getting vaccinated for something you're already immune to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In my area, the varicella titer is outrageously expensive. Those of us who had had the pox but couldn't prove it just had the shots done again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Telemetry, SICU.
In my area, the varicella titer is outrageously expensive. Those of us who had had the pox but couldn't prove it just had the shots done again.

Yup its almost a $300 test if you don't have insurance so even though I've had chicken pox I just got the vaccination for cheaper.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I am sorry to say it but if you really had confirmed chicken pox several times in your life and a latter case was more severe than the previous one(s), you MUST NOT, under any circumstances absolutely, be vaccinated against it before seeing a doctor specializing in immune functions' diseases and allergy. Although there are some research showing that repeated cases of chicken pox are more common than they were thought to be before, they are still rare, and VZ virus is known for its high immunogenic abilities.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2002/06/06/eline/links/20020606elin007.html

I would speak with a doctor before getting this vaccination because VZV vaccine is a live one, and, if you'd had chicken pox several times already, it might be contraindicated for you. It is really about being safe, not sorry. Your school souldn't have big problems with it if you can provide a proof of having chicken pox at least once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion