Wellness

[HonnyBrown]

Does anyone know (from experience, not The Internet) if Hepatitis shots require a booster in a healthy adult?

I keep forgetting to ask my MD during my annual.

[reiki604]

The Hep B vaccine was supposed to last a lifetime but it doesn't always. The best way to find out is a simple blood test your doc can order. It tests for Hep B antibodies to see if you enough antibodies to be immune. If the titer is high enough you are still covered. If not, you need to be vaccinated again if you choose.

[betteb]

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@reiki604 wrote:
The Hep B vaccine was supposed to last a lifetime but it doesn't always. The best way to find out is a simple blood test your doc can order. It tests for Hep B antibodies to see if you enough antibodies to be immune. If the titer is high enough you are still covered. If not, you need to be vaccinated again if you choose.

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Yep this is correct. Hep B is a series of 3 shots. The test you after the second shot to see if it's working. I converted after the second shot and the third was not necessary.

I haven't been tested lately, because I no longer work in a Hemodialysis unit. I do not handle all that blood and blood products, therefore my risk of contracting Hep B is very low.

Are you a medical proffesional or work in a position where you come in contact with a lot of drug addicts or immigrants? Are you planning a trip out of the country? If not, you probably don't need to worry about it.

[151949]

As a nurse I was required to have these vaccinations as soon as they came out. Then several years later they drew blood to check titers and mine were low so I had to have boosters.I suppose it is not everyone but some who do require boosters. Much easier to get the vaccinations than to get hepatitis.

[HonnyBrown]

Reiki, you are absolutely right!  I forgot, my MD took blood for that reason (and many others during my physical).  I did ask her if I needed a booster.  I keep forgetting to follow up.  I only see her once a year.

[HonnyBrown]

betteb, I'm an Engineer and one of the fringe benefits at the company I work for is vaccinations, regardless of whether it's job-related or not.  They want healthy employees.  If I catch the flu from someone on the Metro, I go to work and spread the joy on the lab floor.  My coworkers go home and give it to their kids.  We're all taking sick days.

My company wants to avoid that.

[reiki604]

Thanks Honny, I guess my 34 years as a nurse weren't a waste after all. LOL!

[HonnyBrown]

Reiki, being a nurse is never a waste!

I moved to my current city when I got married.  I didn't realize that my industry wasn't here in any capacity, so I took classesfor nursing school.  I was rejected for both the 2 and 4 year programs.

I'm an engineer, so I'm not dumb.  I guess it just wasn't for me.