Feature Article: A Blood Test or a Vaccine?
Published on in Parents PACK
Published on in Parents PACK
Sometimes, people contact us to ask about whether it would be better to get a blood test to see if a vaccine is necessary. The thought being that by getting one’s blood tested, a person may not need to get as many doses of a vaccine.
Recently, some people have even proposed creating laws that would require the opportunity for titer testing before receipt of a vaccine. For example, such a bill has been proposed in Arizona in 2019.
But this idea is not as straightforward as it may seem:
“Can a Blood Test Replace a Vaccine Dose?” is a new video in the Science Made Easy series in which Dr. Offit discusses some of the considerations and limitations related to testing blood for antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Categories: Parents PACK May 2019
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.