Can Hep B vaccine be made up if we can't prove that she had it?

[Anonymous]

Long story, but the most important part is that we changed pediatricians recently and just discovered that either our daughter, age 3, never received the hepatitis vaccine given at birth or her former pediatrician never recorded it onto her main immunization form correctly. We need to be able to prove that she is up to date on vaccinations (for the VA Health Form) so that she can start school.

We're trying to get the birth records from the hosptial, but are having a heck of a time getting them faxed (we're in another state) despite many requests. If for some reason, we can't get this info, can this be made up, somehow? We have record that she had the second and third shots, and we signed the consent for the first one when she was born, so we're about as sure as we can be that she had it, but may not be able to prove it (getting the records in person would require travel to another state, which we can't do in time for school). Can they repeat it or bring it up to date?

[Anonymous]

What did your pediatrician say when you asked him your question?

[Anonymous]

Just tell the school you oppose it for now while you work on getting it, so she can start school.

[Anonymous]

You can definitely repeat it, or do the titer.

One of my DC's came to us from an orphanage overseas where they were crazy about vaccines. She had at least 6 recorded Hepatitis B vaccines. She is no worse for wear (and yes, we did the blood work to check if she had the antibodies when she arrived).

[Anonymous]

PP. Do not tell the school you oppose it. That is lying. Don't start going down that road. Just go get the series started again.

[Anonymous]

You should speak with your new pediatrician about either getting a titer or potentially repeating the dose. It's a critical vaccine to have. Another option is to check your insurance claims for the well-baby visits and see if the pediatrican's office billed for vaccine at one of the visits. That would be one indication that they administered it. If they billed insurance for that vaccine, the practice may be willing to give you documentation that it was administered. They can also look at the doctor's notes to see if there is mentioned of when it was administered. However, if the records are messed up and you cannot confirm that she got it for sure, I'd do titers or repeat the series.

[Anonymous]

Get a blood test titer. They an see if she already has antibodies. It is a simple and common test.

[Anonymous]

Blood test. I had a job where they made me do blood work to prove I that the immunizations were effective.