Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is present in the blood and body fluids of an infected individual. HBV infection can cause acute illnesses that lead to loss of appetite; tiredness; pain in muscles, joints or stomach; diarrhea or vomiting; and yellow skin or eyes. HBV can also cause chronic infections that lead to liver damage, liver cancer and death.
Each year in the United States, an estimated 300,000 people have new HBV infections. Overall, an estimated 1.25 million people in the United States have chronic HBV infection, and about 15 percent to 25 percent of Chronic carriers will die each year from hepatitis B related chronic liver disease or liver cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2006).
Who Needs to Be Vaccinated?
According to OSHA, “the employer shall make available the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposures.” For those employees whose job requirements indicate possible exposure to blood or bloodborne illness, such as a First Responders, lifeguards, firefighters and safety teams, the vaccine “shall be made available within 10 days of initial training.” Similarly, the employer must make the vaccination series of three available at no cost to the employee at a reasonable time and place.
Why Wait in Line at a Clinic to Receive Your Hep B Vaccination?
Ridgeview Business Health offers competitive pricing so your employees stay where you want them most: at work! With 10 or more employees, Ridgeview Business Health nurses will schedule a time convenient for you to come on-site and provide vaccinations. Don’t have 10 people needing vaccinations? Schedule an appointment at Chaska and they still will not need to wait in line.
Worried about keeping track of who needs to be where and when they need to be there with the three required doses? Let the bookkeeping duties fall to the RBH team. We will notify you several weeks prior to when your next vaccination is due. Call us to schedule your first dose!