Immunizations

[GreenPlant2010]

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I have been accepted to a few medical schools and I have a question about immunizations. I haven't had any immunizations probably since I was around 6 years old. Do we need to get all of our immunizations done before we matriculate? Anyone else have any input?

 

[Catalystik]

On or before your matriculation, you will be expected to have up-to-date shots and to have at least started any vaccination that requires a series, like Hep A and/or Hep B. A PPD, one-step or two step, is generally expected with an official reading of the results. You'll also need proof of the dates signed off by your physician's office or the public health department clinic (usually on a special form you'll receive). Some schools also require titers to prove immunity. Which ones depends on the school. Required vaccinations vary as well.

 

[Law2Doc]

I have been accepted to a few medical schools and I have a question about immunizations. I haven't had any immunizations probably since I was around 6 years old. Do we need to get all of our immunizations done before we matriculate? Anyone else have any input?

Yes. All med schools will send you a form once you are accepted requiring you to provide evidence of immunization or evidence that your titers were checked and you are protected. You will then have to go to your doctor, or student health, and get that taken care of and return the form before you can matriculate. You probably won't have had all the necessary vaccines (eg. Hep B) so you will be getting the initial ones of those before you start as well. You will be working in an environment where viruses are plentiful and it would be foolish to try to work in a hospital setting without this level of protection.

 

[alibai3ah]

On top of the immunizations, you need to check if you need the positive antibody titers. For one of my schools, I need a postive antibody test for Measules, Mumps, Rubella, Hep B, etc. I already got them done, but somehow came out negative for Hep B, which means I need to restart it 🙁

These tests were INCREDIBLY expensive. Fortunately I had insurance this year (YAY) so it wasn't that bad.

 

[shiftingmirage]

At my school, you were asked to show proof of immunizations. If you could not (ie, me) they drew blood for titers. My school requires you to buy insurance so I don't know what role that played, but I paid ZERO for titers, and the Hep B immuno I needed to be compliant. Before spending your own dough, make sure your school doesn't do it for you.