Hep A, B and Tetanus vaccinations

Heathen

Hi all,

I recently took up employment with the emergency services, and have been given my vaccination programme paperwork.

I have noticed in reading it that its optional, now i want to protect myself but was wondering what are the downfalls of getting these vaccinations, that would cause someone to want to opt out?

This is kinda new to me, so i just want to make a well educated decision before going for the shots..

Any help greatly appreciated

Cheers
H

Zambia

Once upon a time I was bitten on my hand by a junkie. Back then I would paid a lot to turn back time and take a course of twinrix. The course when I did take it had no side effects. As for tetanus I dont know but it would be wise.

Heathen

Thanks Zambia,

My initial instinct is to go get them done for my own safety, i just wanted to get some reassurance that its the norm for ES workers, or if there was any side effects before going for them.

Cheers

kerry4sam

Heathen wrote: »

Hi all,

I recently took up employment with the emergency services, and have been given my vaccination programme paperwork.

I have noticed in reading it that its optional, now i want to protect myself but was wondering what are the downfalls of getting these vaccinations, that would cause someone to want to opt out?

This is kinda new to me, so i just want to make a well educated decision before going for the shots..

Any help greatly appreciated

Cheers
H

Heathen wrote: »

Thanks Zambia,

My initial instinct is to go get them done for my own safety, i just wanted to get some reassurance that its the norm for ES workers, or if there was any side effects before going for them.

Cheers

During my Garda Reserve training, it was organised for a doctor to speak with us about about the vaccines, particulaly HepB and, seriously, within days of that lecture I started my course of HepB vaccines.

He gave us an info booklet also on BBV (Blood Borne Viruses) what they are, how they're transmitted; reducing risk and what makes occupational incident high risk.

I have since completed my course of HepB and got myself a tetanus booster.

Only a minority of people have side-effects and I was one, but I'm putting that down to getting my 3rd HepB and tetanus booster on the same day though.

If you are involved in any way with the ES, surely it would only make sense to protect yourself where-ever possible and this is something you have control over in terms of protection.

fuddy1

There are potential side effects for every vaccine. You have to decide if the benefits outweigh the potential side effects. Every healthcare worker emergency or otherwise should at least have Hep B and tetanus vaccines to protect themselves, I didnt think twice about getting mine. Hep A wasnt offered to me as an employee but I got it as part of a course of vaccines I got before travelling, I wish I could have gotten it free with work!!

Paulzx

I've had Hep A and Hep B vaccinations due to my job.

I'm still perfectly healthy apart from the twitch

Heathen

Thanks Guys, i have booked myself in :-)

cheers

eroo

Paulzx wrote: »

I've had Hep A and Hep B vaccinations due to my job.

I'm still perfectly healthy apart from the twitch

And the monthly howling at the moon!

The Hep and Hep B vaccinations are defintely a necessity for ES personnel. I go even further by saying everyone should have these vaccinations done.

Heathen

Hi again everyone...

One final question.. after getting the shots are you ok to go out for a few scoops that night? the reason i ask is that im getting them done Thursday, and its also my first night off call so i wanted to go out for a few, but if there is a problem with boozing after getting the shots i'll leave the pints off till Friday...

Cheers

ectoraige

Bit late for you, but I'm sure your doc told you it's not a problem. Unless you grow a second head, in which case you should have a cup of tea and a wee lie-down.