OSHA and the Hepatitis B Vaccine: What Are Your Rights and Responsibilities?

Most dental professionals recognize the risk of contracting hepatitis B while working in the dental field. They also understand that the hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against the virus. However, during training Q & A sessions, we often find that employees and employers are unsure about their rights and responsibilities regarding the Hep B vaccine. To clarify, here are some common questions and answers to demystify the requirements.

Am I, as an employer, required to have my employees vaccinated for hepatitis B?

The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to all employees with occupational exposure. This offer must occur after the employee receives training and within 10 working days of their initial assignment. However, employers are not required to mandate vaccination; they only need to provide the vaccine free of charge.

Do I, as the employer, have to pay for my employees’ vaccines?

Yes, employers must cover the cost of the vaccine for employees with occupational exposure. Employees cannot be required to pay for their own hepatitis B vaccinations.

What if I am an employee and do not want to be vaccinated for hepatitis B?

Employees may choose to decline the vaccine. If they do, they must sign the declination form, which is included in Appendix A of the bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

What happens if an employee initially declines the hepatitis B vaccine but later decides to get vaccinated?

If the employee is still covered under the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, the employer must provide the vaccine free of charge whenever the employee decides to accept it.

Are employers required to provide hepatitis B booster shots to employees?

The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard requires employers to offer routine booster doses of the hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to employees if the U.S. Public Health Service recommends it. However, the CDC does not currently recommend a booster for most individuals, as immunity from the hepatitis B vaccine generally lasts a lifetime. For more details, visit the Hepatitis B Vaccination page.

Can employers require employees to be screened for immunity before offering the hepatitis B vaccine?

No, the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard explicitly prohibits employers from requiring employees to participate in a prescreening program as a condition for receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.

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By Caitlin Denison

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, November 27). Hepatitis B vaccination. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/vaccination/index.html
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). 1910.1030 – Bloodborne pathogens. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved December 4, 2024, from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030