Immunisation For Hepatitis B

A decision to recommend vaccination for any group or individual should not be taken without a risk assessment and occupational health advice.

The following groups may, subject to advice, be at sufficient risk to need vaccination:

• Residential care workers for clients with special learning difficulties where there is a known high risk of Hepatitis B.

• Staff in special learning difficulties schools or schools with children who exhibit challenging behaviour.

• Certain youth/outreach workers.

The following staff, although they may be exposed to blood/body fluids, are considered to be at low risk from blood borne viruses. Good hygiene precautions and prompt post exposure action, if required, are considered to be sufficient control measures. Therefore, on current medical advice a Hepatitis B vaccination is not necessary for:

• Home carers.

• Countryside workers and other Council employees as mentioned in Section 5.0.

• First aiders.

The Hepatitis B vaccine consists of a course of three injections followed by a blood test to check that the vaccination has been effective (further vaccination may be necessary if it has not).  The vaccination is ineffective in a small number of people. 

Vaccination should be arranged through an individual GP however, GP’s are not required to do this and may charge for this service.  The cost of the course of injections and follow up blood test should be met from Service area/ establishment budgets or for Special Schools by the SEN Team, subject to prior agreement that it is appropriate. The employee can claim the cost of the vaccination via expense claims on SAP and will require a receipt.

Records of staff receiving the vaccination should be kept by Managers to ensure that they remind employees to receive a booster five years later and for post incident as necessary to assist with a clinician led post exposure assessment.