Vaccine non-responder

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brazenredhead

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Well, I just got a look at my medical records: I've been vaccinated for Hep B 3x3 (child, adolescent, adult)-- and guess what? I'm not immune. Just got my titer. I'm also HepB (-).

Has anyone had any experience with admissions and student health trying to matriculate as a vaccine non-responder?

(For the record, I'm pro-vaccination, but I don't believe in beating a dead horse. My last dose was ~2 years ago, so it's not a titer timing issue, other. I'm UTD on all other vaccines.)
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Uhh just get the vaccine again. What's the big whoop.
 
The "big whoop" is that it doesn't work.

There's a small percentage of the population that doesn't respond to the HepB vaccine, no matter how many times you take it. I'm one of them. Even though I meet the CDC guidelines for a non-responder, not all schools will let you complete an informed decline waiver (including one I'm waitlisted at). I don't want to spend money on something my insurance won't cover if it's not going to work anyway.

Just trying to figure out if there are any others like me with advice...
 
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brazenredhead said:
Well, I just got a look at my medical records: I've been vaccinated for Hep B 3x3 (child, adolescent, adult)-- and guess what? I'm not immune. Just got my titer. I'm also HepB (-).

Has anyone had any experience with admissions and student health trying to matriculate as a vaccine non-responder?

(For the record, I'm pro-vaccination, but I don't believe in beating a dead horse. My last dose was ~2 years ago, so it's not a titer timing issue, other. I'm UTD on all other vaccines.)
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Hep B vaccines don't always work. After all required doses or boosters, you need to get your antibodies checked to ensure that you are immune, especially if you work around sick patients or infected specimens.

Regarding admissions, I would prove that I got the vaccine. Then, I would go get it again. (Their requirement is most likely that you get the vaccine, not that you be immune. Get immune as soon as you can anyway.)

Edit: The first line is NOT directed at OP. It is directed at the many people who don't know that Hep B vaccines often fail to work, and take immunity for granted. I'd hate to say some doctors fall in that category of thought.
 
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I'm in the same boat, 2 series plus booster and still negative titer.

The 2 hospitals I've had to get checked for were fine with my documentation that I had tried the series twice but schools may be different. I only got the booster because I knew I was negative and wanted to see if it would make any difference since it was free through the employee health department.
 
kami333 said:
I'm in the same boat, 2 series plus booster and still negative titer.

The 2 hospitals I've had to get checked for were fine with my documentation that I had tried the series twice but schools may be different. I only got the booster because I knew I was negative and wanted to see if it would make any difference since it was free through the employee health department.
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Thank you for actually reading what I posted! (I KNOW Hep B vaccines don't always work. I didn't make up the term "non -responder."

I may check into hospital policy vs. school, since the school requires the positive titer. Maybe the clinical sites will be ok with multiple attempts.

*sigh* just so frustrating trying to deal with hard-and-fast rules when reality isn't so black and white.
 
What's the problem with getting the vaccine again? That's just about the worst that's going to happen. Your school might give you the series again, your titers will once again be negative, and you're done with it. Not a big deal either way. You're not going to be prevented from matriculating.

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brazenredhead said:
Well, I just got a look at my medical records: I've been vaccinated for Hep B 3x3 (child, adolescent, adult)-- and guess what? I'm not immune. Just got my titer. I'm also HepB (-).

Has anyone had any experience with admissions and student health trying to matriculate as a vaccine non-responder?

(For the record, I'm pro-vaccination, but I don't believe in beating a dead horse. My last dose was ~2 years ago, so it's not a titer timing issue, other. I'm UTD on all other vaccines.)
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Hey!
Almost the same thing happened to me... I got the series again and was waaaaaaaaay immune 🙂 I'm not sure that the CDC recommends any further attempts but I would verify this with your HCP to be sure. As for your school/ the institution, they will have protocols for people who don't respond to vaccines .... you just need to touch base with the institution to find out what that protocol is/ what requirements you need to fill/ waivers that you have to sign....

I know its a pain, but you are definitely not the only one so I can pretty much guarantee that your institution will have a protocol for this and it won't prevent you from matriculating.
 
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NickNaylor said:
What's the problem with getting the vaccine again? That's just about the worst that's going to happen. Your school might give you the series again, your titers will once again be negative, and you're done with it. Not a big deal either way. You're not going to be prevented from matriculating.

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My issue: money
 
Gauss44 said:
Do you have insurance? Do they cover it? If not, have you looked up free healthcare on the internet or called 211 if poor?
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No, I have the money, I just don't like spending mine without a good reason 🙂 I also have $1500 in my HRA (love working for hospitals, awesome health coverage) that I need to spend or lose before I quit my job but that's a separate issue.

I also have an issue with the school administration requiring it when the actual hospital and clinical sites may not. The CDC recommends a second round if you are negative after completing the first series, and if you are still negative after 6 properly spaced shots they consider you a non-responder and recommend being treated as such. Considering all the issues we have with people not following medical advice, I would think a medical school would want to set a good example and follow CDC recommendations (assuming that the paperwork checks out). Sure you could make the argument of the school just looking out for my interests or liability reasons but I also think that makes for a bad example.

Though at the end of the day I'm pretty lazy and non-confrontational so I'll probably just go get another series if they press the issue.
 
I don't think the school will press the issue, to be honest. Let them know whats going on. If they want you to try the series one more time, then try it. If not, don't worry about it.
 
FWIW a negative titer doesn't necessarily mean you are a non-responder/not immune, especially if it has been years since you got the series. It just means your serum antibody level is too low enough to trigger was is currently set as the "positive" level. I would look into free methods of getting the vaccine.
 
Oop misread the OP. You won't be prevented from matriculating without positive immunity titer. You also won't be locked out for being a nonresponder.
 
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