Rank: Super forum user 
|
I would like to know what other companies do re vaccinations for staff - we provide services to care and support hostels for the homeless and other at risk groups where there is a small risk of spread of disease such as Hep B, Hep C. Regularly the issue of vaccinations comes up and our advice is that as long as the other control measures are in place vaccinations should not be required and could be offered as a 'nice to have' and it is up to the manager as to whether they have the budget to finance this. Having discussed this at the H&S Committee the senior managers were interested in what others did.
Thank you in advance
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
I work in the care/health service and all our staff have hep b vaccinations/tetanus. Our company stands the cost for this.
In the long run it is better to have everyone vaccinated than have someone go off long term sick due to staff not being vaccinated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Slightly different but we fund all vaccinations- as recommended by the persons GP/practice nurse; for our employees that need to travel overseas as part of their role.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
"rather than have someone go off long term sick"
Or maybe better to have someone vaccinated to prevent them becoming ill through work-related contact ?
1. There is no vaccine for Hep C, so exposure prevention would need to be practiced anyway.
2. the Hep B vaccine is a 3-course vaccine, over 6 months or so. Responses to the vaccine vary, and some vaccinated persons response to the vaccine would be low. My response to the course was very low (although most persons vaccinated would not have tests for their response, so may have low, or no, protection).
AND exposure prevention would need to be used anyway.
Horses for courses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
It really depends on what your risk assessment says...if it is identified as a risk and the cost of implementing the control measure is commesurate with the acheived risk reduction then it should be done...
However it doesn't take to everyone and that then gives you another problem...along with staff who may through the course of thier employ go on immunosuppressive treatment..etc.
The companies I work with in clinical reseach, nursing care, front line response and remote care all have HBV and HCV vaccintions.
It is harder to judge the benefit in low risk environments.
I use WHO and this to judge current threats along with HPA advice..if yiu need anything specific then drop me a PM..
http://www.healthmap.org/en/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
We pay for all vaccinations for employees required to travel to countries where these are required. We also offer Hep B courses for first aiders should they choose (it's not necessary so it's not mandatory) and will pay for these. On top of this, we will pay for an annual flu jab for any member of staff that wants one as part of our wellness commitment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
SteveDM wrote:The companies I work with in clinical reseach, nursing care, front line response and remote care all have HBV and HCV vaccintions.
I meant Hep A (HAV)...sorry was talking about HCV when I wrote the reply...DOH!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Yes. Don't hold your breath waiting for an HCV vaccine though.
According to a consultant immunologist (who is part of my treatment team) the HepC virus is fast replicating, and changes its appearance rapidly. It's 10X more variable than the HIV.
So if you suspect HCV may be a factor, you have no choice but to adopt "barrier" tactics!
Yes, it is hard to be infected, but the results of so being are life changing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.