Hepatitis vaccine validity?

Two years ago, I had three Hep A/B shots in quick succession (a couple of weeks apart, roughly) - the doc said this was sufficient for protection, but I'm reading that they actually need to be several months apart. He did mention something about having a fourth shot at some point at least 6 months into the future, which I didn't do. Do I need to get that fourth shot, or do I need to start from scratch and get all 3 again?

Thanks. He said the fourth one would be needed because the three were so close together. So I was wondering if that meant it was valid only for a certain length of time, but from what you're saying it just means that the immunisation might be slightly weakened.

I had mine for nursing with the first 2 at 3 month intervals. the last one was after 6 months.
After 3 they believe you are suffeciantly immunised.
I have NEVER heard of needing a 4th shot!

As for having them too close. It's BEST to have a decent gap in between to build much greater immunity.
My 12 year old had his first 2 done on the same day at school and his next one is after 6 months.
If you had yours only a few weeks apart you would still have immunity but it may not be a strong as giving your body time to 'fight' the illness.

The CDC recommends that all vaccines be given according to a specified schedule. The schedule has been tweaked over the years to make sure that you received the best protection by developing immunity to the diseases. Your concerns are correct! The doctor should have consulted the very widely available national vaccine schedule before giving you this misinformation. If he had given you the immunizations at the correct intervals, a 4th shot would likely not ever be necessary!

That being said, it does NOT necessarily mean that you have not built up some immunity to Hep A and Hep B. The easiest way to tell would be to have viral titers drawn (blood work) to find out if your level of immunity is sufficient. If not, then you can receive booster injections of either or both of the hepatitis vaccines.

You NEVER need to start over with immunizations unless you have absolutely no documentation of any shots and you are trying to get into a school or a job that requires proof of vaccination. However, most will now accept immunity titers that prove adequate protection for Hepatitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (chickenpox). Although it is safe to restart a vaccination series, it is a waste of time and money if you already have immunity.

The tetanus/diptheria/pertussis booster is recommended every 10 years for adults. It used to just be Tetanus/diphtheria, but testing discovered that grown ups were losing their immunity to pertussis (whooping cough) - this would cause an annoying cough for an adult, but if a underimmunized or unimmunized child were exposed to the sick person, the baby or child could come down with a dangerous case of pertussis - a deadly bacterial infection that is easily transmitted and can cause epidemics.