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OSHA and the Hepatitis B Vaccine—What are your Rights and Responsibilities?

Written by Modern Practice Solutions on . Posted in Modern Practice Solutions.

by Caitlin Denison, BS, RDH

Most dental professionals are aware of the risk of contracting hepatitis B that comes with working in the dental field. Most dental professionals are also aware that the hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect oneself from the virus. Despite this, during training Q & As we often find that employees and employers are not quite sure what their rights and responsibilities are when it comes to the Hep B vaccine. Below are some common questions and answers to help demystify the requirements.  

Q: I am an employer, am I required to have my employees vaccinated for hepatitis B?

A: The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard requires that employers offer all employees who have occupational exposure the hepatitis B vaccine after the employee has received training and within 10 working days of initial assignment. The employer does not need to require that employees be vaccinated, they only need to offer the vaccine free of charge.

Q: As the employer, do I have to pay for my employees’ vaccines?

A: Yes. The employer is required to provide the vaccine to occupationally exposed employees free of charge. Employees must not be made to pay for their own hepatitis B vaccinations.

Q: I am an employee and I do not want to be vaccinated for hepatitis B, what do I do?

A: Employees may decline the vaccine. Employees who decline the vaccination need to sign the declination form which can be found in appendix A of the bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

Q: What if an employee initially declines the hepatitis B vaccine and later decides they would like to get vaccinated?

A: If that employee is still covered under the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, the employer must make the vaccine available free of charge at that time.

Q: Do employers have to provide employees with hepatitis B booster shots?

A: The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard states that a routine booster dose of the hepatitis B vaccine must be made available at no cost to the employee if it is recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. Currently, the CDC does not recommend a booster for most people. In most cases, immunity from the hepatitis B vaccine lasts a lifetime. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/vaccination/index.html

Q: Can I require my employees to be screened for immunity prior to offering the hepatitis B vaccine?

A: No. The OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard states that employers “shall not make participation in a prescreening program a prerequisite for receiving hepatitis B vaccination”.

Resources:

  1. 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

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