OOPS! I MADE A MISTAKE! NOW I WANT A HEPATITIS B VACCINATION!

Question:
The question keeps coming up in healthcare facilities. If I declined the hepatitis B vaccination 3 months ago when I started working at this hospital, can I request the employer to provide it for me now?

ANSWER:

Employers MUST Provide Hepatitis B Vaccination if Requested

OSHA has indicated that even if an employee has declined the hepatitis B vaccination and if they are still covered by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, the employer must provide the vaccination at no charge to the employee. The vaccination must be provided to the employer on company time.

Employers can deny the vaccination only if:

• The healthcare employee has already received the completed hepatitis B vaccination series in the past.


• The vaccination is contraindicated for medical reasons or


• If antibody testing has shown that the employee is immune to Hepatitis B.

More information on sharps safety products and policies can be found at the ISIPS website.