Abstract
Doctors represent a high risk category for contracting hepatitis B virus. We report obstacles to our vaccination programme. Thirty per cent of the doctors (mainly Middle Eastern origin) were naturally immune to hepatitis, 29% received vaccination on completion of their pre-employment medical. However, 32% did not present for vaccination despite a total of 224 letters being dispatched, an average of 5.5 letters per doctor. Three medical staff were found to be HbsAg positive. More encouragement is required for those doctors who fail to attend for immunization. Measures such as: being a pre-requisite for employment, or withholding pay could be considered in high risk areas.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Baddick M. R., Aw T. C. Immunisation against hepatitis B among NHS staff in West Midlands Regional Health Authority. BMJ. 1989 Sep 2;299(6699):607–607. doi: 10.1136/bmj.299.6699.607. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Byrne E. B. Viral hepatitis: an occupational hazard of medical personnel. Experience of the Yalenew Haven Hospital, 1952 to 1965. JAMA. 1966 Jan 31;195(5):362–364. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dudley H. A. Bloodborne infection in the workplace. BMJ. 1989 Sep 16;299(6701):699–700. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Eddleston A. Modern vaccines. Hepatitis. Lancet. 1990 May 12;335(8698):1142–1145. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(90)91138-z. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Finch R. G. Time for action on hepatitis B immunisation. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987 Jan 24;294(6566):197–198. doi: 10.1136/bmj.294.6566.197. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kinnersley P. Attitudes of general practitioners towards their vaccination against hepatitis B. BMJ. 1990 Jan 27;300(6719):238–238. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6719.238. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Polakoff S. Acute viral hepatitis B: laboratory reports 1980-4. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986 Jul 5;293(6538):37–38. doi: 10.1136/bmj.293.6538.37. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Porteous M. J. Operating practices of and precautions taken by orthopaedic surgeons to avoid infection with HIV and hepatitis B virus during surgery. BMJ. 1990 Jul 21;301(6744):167–169. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6744.167. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Turner R. S., Heatley F. W. Aspects of 'safe' surgery. Injury. 1991 May;22(3):223–224. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(91)90046-h. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Williams J. R., Flowerdew A. D. Uptake of immunisation against hepatitis B among surgeons in Wessex Regional Health Authority. BMJ. 1990 Jul 21;301(6744):154–154. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6744.154. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wood A. Hepatitis B vaccination and GPs. Practitioner. 1989 Aug 8;233(1473):1066–1068. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Zuckerman A. J. Who should be immunised against hepatitis B? Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984 Nov 10;289(6454):1243–1244. doi: 10.1136/bmj.289.6454.1243. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]