Hepatitis B vaccine & nursing

Hi everyone,

I am new to this board and posted in another forum. I haven't gotten any responses and thought maybe the general nursing forum might get more traffic, so I'm reposting. I apologize in advance for the repeat:

I am applying for nursing school this fall. It will be a second career for me, and I'm very exited!

However, I have a concern that I can't seem to get a straight answer to. The program I'm entering recommends the Hepatitis B vaccine, and I know that acquiring the disease as a healthcare worker is a significant risk without it. I am absolutely pro vaccine and want to take it, but my brother became severely, chronically ill after receiving it in medical school. He had to leave med school and has struggled for over 10 years with his illness (it was an autoimmune response).

I have read the stats and know that the vaccine is 99.9% safe, (and that the risk of getting Hep B is MUCH higher). But I still worry about a possible genetic link that might cause me to have a similar reaction. If anyone has thoughts about the vaccine, or what to do in my situation, I'd be so appreciative.

Thank you!

Can you be tested like someone would be tested the same way
that someone would be tested for allergies by injecting a small amount of serum under the skin?

Aspiring,

I am so sorry to hear for your brother's response to the Hepatitis B Vaccine Series. I am new to this forum as of 2007. If you feel comfortable responding, I was wondering what did you decide? Did you get the series, and if yes, did you have any negative response/effects? I certainly hope not, but I have been interested in the responses to this vaccine series for over a decade. I have been experiencing a variety of autoimmune diseases since I received the third immunization in the series (Spring 1991). My current diagnosis includes, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Hypercoagability Syndrome, and severe Vitamin D deficiency. I still work full-time but not bedside nursing. One of the specialists I see told me, "I see about 2-3 health care providers every working day who I believe have had an allergic reaction to the Hepatitis B Vaccine Series."