Student Vaccination?

[White Rabbit]

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Hello - question for medical students with regard to titers/vaccinations:

Obviously TB testing and immunity/vaccination is required for rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella, hep A & B, dTaP (and/or dT & pertussis), & influenza...

Where does everyone stand on the "optional" vaccines like meningococcal, thyphoid, BCG, and pneumococcal?

Thanks

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Get them if you are leaving the country to an area endemic to those diseases. Otherwise, why give out more money, and get poked. Also depending on the agent of the vaccine you could get sick as well (very unlikely though).

 

[White Rabbit]

OK, thank you.

Also, why is dTaP typically listed separate from diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus titers? Is this because the vaccine might not have been administered in a combined form?

 

[group_theory]

OK, thank you.

Also, why is dTaP typically listed separate from diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus titers? Is this because the vaccine might not have been administered in a combined form?

there are different formulation of the tetanus, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine. Titers are blood work to determine antibody levels. For adults, you either want a dT or dTap vaccination within the last 5-10 years. Titers will only tell you if you have circulating antibody against the specific virus.

Hello - question for medical students with regard to titers/vaccinations:

Obviously TB testing and immunity/vaccination is required for rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella, hep A & B, dTaP (and/or dT & pertussis), & influenza...

Where does everyone stand on the "optional" vaccines like meningococcal, thyphoid, BCG, and pneumococcal?

Thanks

Meningococcal is a good idea. Thyphoid is unnecessary unless you plan to travel to an endemic area. No to BCG, even if you are going to an endemic area (that's why you and all healthcare workers will need annual PPD to screen for TB exposure).

pneumococcal is not recommened unless you fall within a specific age group or suffer from certain medical conditions

Influenza vaccine - recommened on an annual basis, especially if you are going into the healthcare field.

 

[White Rabbit]

Much appreciated. 👍

 

[Iquitos]

I agree with the above posts.

meningococcal would be a good idea especially before you get into the hospitals

thyphoid- Only for out of country travel

 

[White Rabbit]

I went to my doc and they were going to run titers for required immunity but my private insurance package doesn't cover immunizations and only covers the titers if deemed "medically necessary" not "mandated by a school"; they didn't even care if it's a high-risk "job" or position. So, I guess I'm not going to risk getting stuck with the titer bill which could run around $2500 said and done.

I have some old documentation (>10 years) for Rubeolla and Rubella, don't have anything regarding mumps or pertussis immunity but I'm sure I was vaccinated as a child, had varicella as a child, had dT immunization within the last five-or-so years. Lastly, I started a Hep B panel in the mid 90s but just received the first shot before I quit the job.

What would you experienced folks recommend? Redundancy? And what would be the bare minimum for this situation aside from the Hep A & B vaccinations?

Thanks again for your input...

 

[nerdgrrl]

I went to my doc and they were going to run titers for required immunity but my private insurance package doesn't cover immunizations and only covers the titers if deemed "medically necessary" not "mandated by a school"; they didn't even care if it's a high-risk "job" or position. So, I guess I'm not going to risk getting stuck with the titer bill which could run around $2500 said and done.

I have some old documentation (>10 years) for Rubeolla and Rubella, don't have anything regarding mumps or pertussis immunity but I'm sure I was vaccinated as a child, had varicella as a child, had dT immunization within the last five-or-so years. Lastly, I started a Hep B panel in the mid 90s but just received the first shot before I quit the job.

What would you experienced folks recommend? Redundancy? And what would be the bare minimum for this situation aside from the Hep A & B vaccinations?

Thanks again for your input...

I would recommend... tracking down your immunization records, and forking over the dough for the titers. my roommate paid out of pocket for her titers and paid ~$600 because her insurance denied it. if you pay cash up front, it should cost less. negotiate with the lab. find out if your school has a deal with a local lab. $2500 really doesn't sound right at all.

in my experience, you need the real documentation, and the real titers. hospitals are going to need this when you go on rotations. it's not just some thing they're making you do. you're going to be a healthcare provider. this stuff has to be recorded, for your own sake, and your patients.

I had to get a repeat Hep B vaccine, even though my titer showed immunity, because I couldn't come up with the right documentation for my 3rd vaccination (13 years ago). it was annoying, but I dealt with it.

 

[ShyRem]

I would think you could make an argument for "medically necessary" to see if you need the immuzation shots took.