How to get my immunization records???

[momofslg]

I need to get a copy of my immunization records for my nursing program. Problem is I don't have any idea how to get them. I was born in Indiana and moved to Ohio when I was in kindergarten (some 30+ years ago). We moved 5 or 6 times in Ohio and never had a set doctor that we went to.
My dad passed away 11 years ago, and my mom has no idea where they would be. She doesn't remember the name of our doctor in Indiana or any of the ones when I was a kid.

Any nurses out there know how to get records, or test to see if I have had the immunizations? Am I able to get the vaccines again?
Help...

[ktsmama]

You might be able to get some information at the hospital where you were born. Also try the school district where you went to school when you were young.

Good luck!

[krbshappy71]

You could claim religious views against immunizations. They can't force you to have them.

Ok that was probably bad advice, in hindsight, but in case you couldn't get your records, and you are confident you are protected, here is a link to the forms that can be downloaded and signed off on, rather than getting the immunizations unnecessarily. http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials/topic_hcw.asp

[IntlMom]

yea, I'd be out of luck if I ever had to prove mine too........

[JoJoBean8]

I ran into that problem when I went to change drs. My pediatrician no longer has a practice and I had no way of getting them. I had to call my college and they gave me a copy for the dr and I made a copy and kept just in case this ever happens again.

[Backtoreality]

I had a problem getting my too, but the high school you graduated from will have the information and send it to you. Good luck!

[mama2James]

You can have a blood test called a titer to check for antibodies which will show which diseases you have immunity to. You can repeat any vaccines you need. Ask for a list of which vaccines are specifically needed for admission to school, you may not need all of the typical childhood ones.

[kaurand554]

The high school only holds them for 5 years. I am going through the same issue right now............. And from what I have heard, insurance does not pay for the test to see what you are immune to? blah blah blah.............

Personally! I think this is the most stupid, required record............ for the colleges...........We had to prove them to attend school (elementary, junior high, high school!).........(even in the 60's and 70's)..... and to have graduated a public school that states you had to have them to graduate/attend....... GEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!

For us elders (**cough**) it is much harder to find our pediatrician who is still in practice...........never mind alive!

A question for those of you in the medical field......How long do doctors have to hold records for............ I can't imagine it it 20, 30 or 40 years..........

[momofslg]

I didn't need shot records for my college ( a technical college) but I do need them to be able to enter their nursing program. I emailed my High School and they do not have them any longer.

I have no idea who my pediatrician was when I was longer, my mom doesn't either.
I need proof of measles, mumps, reubella, chicken pox, Hep B, tetanus, seasonal flu, H1N1, and TB.
My insurance will pay for some of these immunizations but not all. The prices for the ones not covered are very costly, and the health dept costs about the same. I called my insurance company and the representative wasn't familiar with titers.

Anyone have any other suggestions???

[krbshappy71]

Your insurance person wasn't aware of titers, but did you find out how much it would cost even if it isn't covered? (as in, did you find out from a health care professional how much that is?)

Might be worth it just to see if you need any of the immunizations in the first place. Let alone to get out of the hassle of trying to track them down.

Did you ask if there was an exemption form you can sign? (as I pointed out)

[Brat]

Check with the county health dept where you graduated. They had them for my kids.