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Vaccinations help prevent the contraction and spread of various types of the flu, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio. Because healthcare workers come into contact with diseases (many times before they manifest in the patient), updated vaccinations will help protect them.
At present, the most important vaccination for healthcare workers is hepatitis B. It is a highly infectious pathogen and can be spread by accidental contact with infected blood. The vaccine was developed in 1982 and has been credited with reducing the spread of hepatitis B. Vaccination or proof of vaccination is now required for all healthcare workers.
Obtaining a current flu vaccination protects against airborne pathogens, which are highly infectious and can cause 7 to 10 lost workdays. The vaccine is generated from 3 different inactive viruses, taking 4 to 6 weeks to develop antibodies for the projected strain of virus. Healthcare workers are at high risk for contracting in-fluenza when working on patients who may not yet be diagnosed. In addition to obtaining the vaccination, careful hand washing, barrier protection, and other PPD will assist in reducing the possibility of contact with person-to-person aerosols and hand contamination. Risk of inflammation at the injection site and possible low-grade fever may result from the vaccination, but receiving the vaccination is vital for healthcare professionals, the immunocompromised, and the elderly.
Vaccination for varicella (chicken pox) is important for those who did not receive the vaccine when they were young. Healthcare workers can spread the virus to others who have not had the vaccine, and the disease is more severe for adults than children. Also, a vaccine for herpes zoster (shingles) is recommended for those over 60 years of age. Vaccination against whooping cough is available, although the identifying coughing sound may not be present, and patients may not be aware they are infected.
In process is the potential for a vaccine to protect against hepatitis C; there is no cure for this disease at present. The transmission of this disease is bloodborne, and because of its ability to change during infection (genetic diversity), a vaccination is difficult to develop.
Vaccines have controlled diseases that caused many deaths 50 or more years ago. They are vital for disease control of populations and less expensive than delivering antibiotics to many areas of the world.
(Source: Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, January 2008)
