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Implementing a Successful Hepatitis B Vaccination Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Linda J. Hanacik*
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Timothy R. Franson
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jill D. Gollup
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Michael W. Rytel
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*
Nurse Epidemiologist, Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226

Abstract

Health care personnel with frequent blood contact are at high risk for being exposed to and developing hepatitis B infection. Exposure to unidentified infectious patients may lead to personnel inadvertently foregoing appropriate, passive immunoprophylaxis. For these reasons, our hospital elected to conduct an aggressive program to administer hepatitis B vaccine to all employees at high risk for exposure to hepatitis B virus, thus protecting such employees from inadvertent occupational exposure. Administrators agreed to offer the vaccine as a free employee health benefit. “High-risk” employees attended mandatory inservice presentations covering hepatitis B disease, vaccine safety and efficacy, and related concerns. High-risk individuals were required to either receive vaccine or sign “informed refusal” forms. The vaccine clinic was organized to accommodate employee work schedules. Of high-risk employees eligible for vaccination, 90% completed a three-dose vaccine course. Extensive inservice education, financial and administrative support, and careful advance planning are all crucial in achieving high compliance with vaccination programs. A description of key steps in designing a successful vaccination program is outlined.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985

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