Do you have to be vacc. to be a midwife??

[MERMAMA]

I desperately would love to be a midwife. I live in the state of Florida, and I am curious if you have to have updated vaccinations to be a practicing doula or midwife? This is the only thing really holding me back from starting my education. Please give me any info you can. Thanks!!:scratch

[jordmoder]

what kind of vaccinations are you thinking about? The only thing that was REQUIRED for me was a TB skin test. I chose personally to be vaccinated for Hep B.

This is in Washington

BArbara

[gauge14iv]

Most hospitals will require you to have up to date MMR and tetanus - thats all I can think of at the moment. Hep B is available and optional. I don't think they require anything else, and its probably up to state health department regulations in your individual state.

[CircleOLifeMidwife]

As with anything, vaccinations are YOUR choice.

I have not chosen to become vaccinated with HepB (the most common for those in the health field) simply because I do not believe that the vaccine works effectively, and has side effects I'd rather not risk.

The key is to practice safely and take precautions, whether you're vaccinated or not.

[KeysMama]

Hi! I am a doula/cbe and MW asst. I owned a birthing center in Central Florida a few years back.

As the Director/owner, I HAD to have a record of health on my MW and asst staff. THis including TB tests, and HEP b vacc. I also, by law, had to offer to pay for the vaccine. However, as with schooling, all I REALLY had to have on record was a record of either compliance or refusal. Of course we all refused, myself included, and we all signed a waiver that I made up and I kept it on file.

Hope that helps!

I am in the Keys, and am still a MW asst/doula/cbe. I sold my Birth Center and stay mostly home with my 2 girls.

Mirine

[homesteader]

this is just a bit off subject, but close...i just started working at a nursing home, part-time in the office. i was told that i had to get the hep b vac. i am preg. and am exempt until i deliver. so, what i am understanding from keysmama is that, at least in florida, i wouldn't have to get the vaccination...i could actually refuse it altogether? or is that a facility decision, that if you don't get it then they can deny employment to you? i know i'd need to check this out for sure in my state, but knowing about florida's situation can't hurt. thanks, homesteader

[KeysMama]

Homesteader, check with your local health department. They could tell you the specific laws and wording. It is true, some States I guess still do not allow refusal on any grounds. Some only allow on 'religious' grounds, like Florida. A facility 'could' deny employment if the law was on their side I suppose. But if the State allows exemptions, then the facility would too or I would think they would be up against a civil suit at some point.

Good luck!