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Assistance? Call one of our Representatives now: (860) 884-3122 <> or (860) 884-3132 info@ncstaffing.com |
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Hep B Vaccination.WHAT IS HBV? Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a potentially life threatening bloodborne pathogen. Centers for Disease Control estimates there are approximately 280,000 HBV infections each year in the U.S. Approximately 8,700 health care workers each year contract hepatitis B, and about 200 will die as a result. In addition, some who contract HBV will become carriers, passing the disease on to others. Carriers also face a significantly higher risk for other liver aliments which can be fatal, including cirrhosis of the liver and primary liver cancer. HBV infection is transmitted through exposure to blood and other infectious body fluids and tissues. Anyone with occupational exposure to blood is at risk of contracting the infection. Employers must provide engineering controls; workers must use work practices and protective clothing and equipment to prevent exposure to potentially infectious materials. However, the best defense against hepatitis B is vaccination. WHO NEEDS VACCINATION? The new OSHA standard covering bloodborne pathogens requires employers to offer the three-injection vaccination series free to all employees who are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials as part of their job duties. This includes health care workers, emergency responders, morticians, first-aid personnel, law enforcement officers, correctional facilities staff, launderers, as well as others. The vaccination must be offered within 10 days of initial assignment to a job where exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials can be “reasonably anticipated.” The requirements for vaccinations of those already on the job take effect July 6, 1992. WHAT DOES VACCINATION INVOLVE? The hepatitis B vaccination is a noninfectious, yeast-based vaccine given in three injections in the arm. It is prepared from recombinant yeast cultures, rather than human blood or plasma. Thus, there is no risk of contamination from the bloodborne pathogens nor is there any chance of developing HBV from the vaccine. HEPATITIS B VACCINATION FACTS U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration The second injection should be given one month after the first, and the third injection six months after the initial dose. More than 90 percent of those vaccinated will develop immunity to the hepatitis B virus. To ensure immunity, it is important for individuals to receive all three injections. At this point it is unclear how long the immunity lasts, so booster shots may be required at some point in the future.The vaccine causes no harm to those who are already immune or to those who may be HBV carriers. Although employees may opt to have their blood tested for antibodies to determine need for the vaccine, employers may not make such screening a condition of receiving vaccination nor are employers required to provide prescreening. Each employee should receive counseling from a health care professional when vaccination is offered. This discussion will help an employee determine whether inoculation is necessary. WHAT IF I DECLINE VACCINATION? Workers who decide to decline vaccination must complete a declination form. Employers must keep these forms on file so that they know the vaccination status of everyone who so exposed to blood. At any time after a worker initially declines to receive the vaccine, her or she may opt to take it. WHAT IF I AM EXPOSED BUT HAVE NOT YET BEEN VACCINATED? If a worker experiences an exposure incident, such as a needle stick or a blood splash in the eye, he or she must receive confidential medical evaluation from a licensed health care professional with appropriate follow-up. To the extent possible by law, the employer is to determine the source individual for HBV as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infectivity. The worker’s blood will also be screened if he or she agrees. The health care professional is to follow the guidelines of the U.S. Public Heath Service in providing treatment. This would include hepatitis B vaccination. The health care professional must give a written opinion on whether or not vaccination is recommended and whether the employee received it. Only this information is reported to the employer. Employee medical records must remain confidential. HIV or HBV status must NOT be reported to the employer. This is one of a series of fact sheets that discusses various requirements of the Occupational Safety and health Administration’s standard covering exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Single copies of fact sheets are available from OSHA Publications, Room N-3101, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 and from OSHA regional offices. AGMD-F35.0103 |
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