Who's right: the RN or the LPN?

Here's the deal: Among the plethora of immunizations that I need, the Hep B one is giving me a headache (not literally). See, I worked at a nursing home as a CNA back in the summer of 2002 and was given the first dose of Hep B - May 27, 2002 to be exact. Since then, I haven't finished the series. Well, today, I spoke with an RN at the nursing home and was told that I would have to start the series all over again. According to her, the three doses would be given within 3 months. However, the LPN at the health department told me that I wouldn't have to start the series all over again. She said that the first dose in 2002 would count, and that today's Hep B dose would count as the second in the series and need to return August for the final dose. Who's right? I'm HOPING the LPN's right...
Hep B is given as follows:first dose date 00/00/00second dose in one month or 30 daysthird dose in 6 months after first dosefollowed by a titer blood drawif you did not complete the doses in 2002 you will need to have all three done

http://www.vaccineinformation.org/hepb/qandavax.asp"What should be done if a person gets the first two doses of hepatitis B vaccine but never goes back for the final dose? Should the series be restarted?No, the series does not need to be restarted. If the series is interrupted after the first dose, the second dose should be given as soon as possible; the second and third doses should be separated by an interval of at least 8 weeks. If only the third dose is delayed, it should be administered as soon as possible.The minimum recommended dosing intervals are 4 weeks between the first and second doses and 8 weeks between the second and third doses. The minimum interval between the first and third doses is 16 weeks"Hope this helps, according to this, the Health Deperatment Nurse is correct.

I have always heard you don't need to restart the series.. You can always do 2 8 wks apart and then have a titer drawn, but that still involves a needle stick. LOL

Here is another source, confirming that the LPN was correct.Hepatitis B Foundation: Prevention and VaccinationIf I started the vaccine series but didn't complete my 2nd or 3rd dose on schedule, do I have to start the series over?No, there is no need to restart the series. If the series is interrupted after the first dose, the second dose should be given as soon as possible, and the third dose at least 2 months after the second. If only the third dose is delayed, it should be given as soon as possible.Seems logical that a nurse who works at the health department (the place where you get the immunizations, after all) would have more accurate information than another nurse who works at the nursing home.

Quote from Reigenif you did not complete the doses in 2002 you will need to have all three done

Quote from rn/writer Seems logical that a nurse who works at the health department (the place where you get the immunizations, after all) would have more accurate information than another nurse who works at the nursing home.

The RN is right. You will need to start over.

I had the same "headache" with my Hep-B series...i kept forgetting to get the follow up shot.We didn't have to restart the series when I forgot the SECOND shot. However, when I forgot the THIRD shot and went back a year later to get it I had to take the SECOND shot then get the THIRD shot.I know this doesn't really answer, just thought I relayed my experience.

Here is the word from on high--the Centers For Disease Control:If I received the first two shots in the hepatitis B series, but did not receive the third, and it is now 10 years later, should I go ahead now and get the last one? Regardless of when you started the hepatitis B series, you should just pick up where you left off and complete the series. It is not necessary to add doses or restart the series if the interval between doses is longer than recommended. (6/26/03)

No you DO NOT have to restart the series. Get your 2nd one now, then in 8 weeks you can get your 3rd.And FYI... just because someone has RN after their name does not mean they know more than someone with LPN (and vice versa). The health department NURSE was correct, whether she was an LPN or RN doesnt really matter. Health Departments work closely with the CDC and the state to stay up to date on guidelines. Back several years ago, it was thought that if you started the series and did not finish that you would have to repeat the whole series, but that is not the case anymore.

Well, if you need the immunization or proof of immunity for something specific (like a new job, or starting nursing school), then what you need is what they tell you that you need. If the occ. health person processing your file holds one view, then it doesn't matter what the credentials or actual knowledge of your other sources are - LPN, RN, MD, or the CDC itself.Ask your school/employer what you need to do. Bureaucracy trumps science.

Quote from rhymeswithlibrarianWell, if you need the immunization or proof of immunity for something specific (like a new job, or starting nursing school), then what you need is what they tell you that you need. If the occ. health person processing your file holds one view, then it doesn't matter what the credentials or actual knowledge of your other sources are - LPN, RN, MD, or the CDC itself.Ask your school/employer what you need to do. Bureaucracy trumps science.