Who has completed the Hepatitis B immunization requirements? (esp. for USC)

[WaitingImpatiently]

I'm curious to know if most schools require that all the steps (3, I think) be completed before class starts.

The reason I ask is that at USC, there's a little disclaimer that states if you decline the Hep B immunization, you can't see patients or participate in rotations, etc. I'm not going to decline the immunization, but when school starts, I'll have only completed the first 2 steps, with step 3 six months away. For other USC folks, does this mean I can't do ICM until then?

 

[kidsmd]

My friend had to do this for her clinicals for nursing, and she was in a similar situation. As far as I know. as long as u have started, it should be okay. My dad (who's a doctor), has seen a lot of people in this situation and he says most schools are fine with it.

 

[Adcadet]

I forget the exact numbers, but most people are relatively protected from HepB infection after the second immunization, IIRC. In fact, I'd bet you're more protected in the few weeks after your second dose than five years after your third.
</$0.02>

 

[riley290]

I thought there was a study that showed that you were as protected years later as when you recieved the immunization. That's why you don't need a booster. But I'm probably wrong.

 

[Adcadet]

Originally posted by riley290
I thought there was a study that showed that you were as protected years later as when you recieved the immunization. That's why you don't need a booster. But I'm probably wrong.

I think it depends on how you measure protection. If you figure a typical infective dose is only of a certain number of HBV virions, then you only need a certain antibody titer, which you'll usually maintain for years (>10). But some people's titers do dip, and I know some people get them tested every now and then and will get a boost to keep their titer up. BUT, if you quantify the titer, yeah, it's going to fall gradually. Luckily that decline is usually pretty insignificant clinically - if you're exposed, you prolly still will not get infected since you still have way more antibody than necessary.

But, be warned, I only skimmed this material in my infections disease epidemiology class last year. Maybe I'll re-read this tomorrow...or maybe I'll finish another app.

 

[imtiaz]

you don't need the full series to start, at my school at least. it would be impossible for them to make such a requirement. it's given in a series of 3 as other posters have stated. the first one is followed by another one a month later, then the third and final one is 6 months later. so at my school you need the first one completed/documented before you can begin. then you just mail the other documents as you get the 2nd and 3rd shots. my arm was sore for a few days after that thing, g'luck!

btw: you need all 3 to start M3 clinical rotations, not preceptor stuff, etc.

 

[Jalby]

I still need to do everything. I might have done that in the past, (Hep B), But I donno. It would suck if I couldn't do ICM until January. We'll, maybe it wouldn't suck.

 

[souljah1]

UCSF requires that you have the first two done before classes start. You get the third one during your first year. So, you really only need a month's time b/c the first two have to be a month apart, I think.

 

[Dr. Kermit]

I don't know if USC would allow a student to do so, but my school required either titers for the original Hep B or the booster. I had the titers performed and it showed that I still had active immunity. (My antibody count was on the higher end of the range.) My school feared that my original vaccination was over 5 years. (They claim that the immunity wears after 5-7 years.) So, they allowed me to take another titer and when that showed active immunity again, I signed a paper that said I had active immunity and would wait to do a Hep B booster until 2nd or 3rd year.

You should see if USC would let you provide a titer and if it's fine, then start the booster when school commences.

 

[Ceez]

i'm in the same situation. i've had my first shots already, but i won't get the third until October.

 

[CANES2006]

I've taken the first two, but I'll take the last one at the end of November, which is well after the school year starts.

 

[AznTrojan]

at usc.. if you don't get all your hep b shots.. they will rescind your acceptance..

all kidding aside... they just tell you to get them.. and like the lemming i am.. i just do.. in fact.. i just completed my last shot last month.. and i'm starting my 2nd year on monday..

and yes.. you will be able to do icm.. w/o the full 3 shots..