Hep b vaccine

[pinkkoala]

Has anyone had a hep b vaccine and is it the 3 doses and what side effects did you have.
Unfortunately we have been caring for a resident that has confirmed hep b and we have, eventually being given funding to have the jab, only 3 weeks after we have all been in their rm.

[Endofthelinefinally]

You should all have had occupational health counselling and training in safe handling and care techniques.
OH should also advise about the vaccine.
Has this happened?.

[pinkkoala]

No it hasn't happened, they didn't want us to have the jab originally but we complained about being put at risk and they soon changed.
They are also providing the paperwork to say its funded but are telling us where we have to have it done, surely thats not right.

[Endofthelinefinally]

It all sounds very badly handled.
Do you work in a state run or private organisation?
There is a health care equivalent of Ofsted in the UK. I can't remember what it is called, but there are clear policies and protocols around Hep B management that must be followed.
Maybe google can help.

[Endofthelinefinally]

CCQ. Contact them and tell them the situation.

[Endofthelinefinally]

Actually you should all have been tested and screened pre- employment.

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

Actually you should all have been tested and screened pre- employment.

I have never known this happen in private care and I've worked for several companies and agencies.

[Endofthelinefinally]

It depends what the risk of doing the job is. If working in a hospital taking blood youneed testing and vaccination pre- employment.
Serving lunch in a care home - not necessary.
Op says her employers have agreed and funded hep b vaccine. Therefore her job must entail risk. In which case the risk assessment and vaccination would have been appropriate before exposure occurred.
So something is wrong somewhere.
Hence the suggestion to contact CQC.

[DeadCertain]

Agree with contacting CQC. As for the Hep B vaccinations themselves, I have never experienced any side effects at all OP.

[bruffin]

Dd worked with young children with sen and was advised to get hep B, but not funded. She then was going to US for Camp America and hep B was manditory, but wasnt advised until late. She also needed hep B for her uni course. She managed to get 3 in an accelerated course before she went and needs a 4th (i think,) . No side effects. There was a shortage and couldnt get it through our gp, boots only had one, then had to find other travel clinics for the other 2

[uppi]

I've had it several times for work (HCP). I've got coeliac disease so struggled to get immunity for the first few times but got it eventually. My friend with chrons had it 11 times before it was effective! No side effects for either of us.

[Cooloncraze]

I’ve just had it for travelling and no side effects at all.

[anniehm]

My dd has the course at birth because they were doing it where she was born, and hep a too. No side effects

[whotookthesellotape]

Few GPS do occupational health. Try a private travel clinic.

[Endofthelinefinally]

If this is a work related issue it should be addressed properly.
If exposure actually happened 3 weeks ago it may be too late for standard vaccination and antibodies may be needed.
What was the nature of the exposure?
What is the level of risk and what training has been provided to address that?
In a health care setting these things are really important.
It sounds as if neither the OP nor the employer have got a proper handle on this and given the potential serious consequences if infection, somebody needs to sort it out properly, not just tell staff to go off and get vaccinated under their own steam.
Clearly the OP hasn't been given much information or support by her employer, or she wouldn't be asking on MN.

[Endofthelinefinally]

A travel clinic won't give it unless you can convince them you are travelling to a high risk area.
Neither will GPs.
Unless things have changed in the last couple of years.
There has been a national shortage of vaccine, so providers have been very careful about who gets it.

[bruffin]

Endofthelinefinally
DD had hers in May to go to Pennsylvania, but as i said above it was mandatory or she couldnt go.
Boots gave her the first one but had no more left
The other 2 she got from a London travel clinic.

[Endofthelinefinally]

bruffin - that is correct. Your dd was required to have it for travel purposes. I know from experience that travel clinics will not give it for occupational health reasons, even if you pay for it. I understand it is because of the shortage of supply, cost and different budgets/pots of money.

The OP is describing a work environment where simply telling employees to sort out getting their own Hep B vaccine, 3 weeks after possible exposure sounds very unsafe.

The OP hasn't explained whether actual, physical exposure has taken place, or whether any kind of risk assessment has been done. Hep B is transmitted by blood and body fluids only. Not by simply entering a room.

Hep B is potentially fatal, so the situation needs to be handled professionally by people who know what they are doing.

I used to be responsible for writing protocols and procedures in an environmental health setting and it sounds to me as if this may not be being dealt with correctly.

[bruffin]

It wssntvtravelnpurpises, you dont need Hep B for America. I was for working with children in America.

[tableandchairz]

I have had them. I needed a booster too because my levels were too low after.

No side effects.

[pinkkoala]

Thanks for the replies, i am a hca for a private company, a well known company. We have been obviously providing personal care and as the resident is quite aggressive they are often spitting or more recently grabbing us with their solied hands.
We have been told we can have hep b jab now if we want it, they will provide us with necessary paperwork, but god knows how long that will take. Do you think its too late now for vaccine to protect us and whats the antibody thing.
Also we don't get screened pre employment for anything before employment other than the dbs.

[tableandchairz]

The jabs are spaced out over a set period of time and then a blood test to check immunity. If it's low, then you would get a booster.

The jabs will not protect you from any exposure that you've had up until now.

[Endofthelinefinally]

Sorry bruffin I am not explaining myself very well. My friend was volunteering in a south American monkey sanctuary and got all the jabs through a travel clinic for that purpose.
She would not have got them through a travel clinic for the purpose of employment in a health care setting in the UK.

[Endofthelinefinally]

OP. I cant do links on my phone but CQC has clear documented protocol for hep b immunisation in care homes.
The best thing you can do is google then get in touch wirh them asap.

[FadedRed]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-b/
Have look at the web pages above.
You are only at risk if you are undertaking any personal care where the blood or body fluids of your client could access your broken skin (through cuts or damage to your skin) or your mucous membrane ( eyes, up your nose or in your mouth).
If your employer has risk assessed you and your colleagues as 'at risk', then they should be making arrangements for you to have the correct training ( about the disease, prevention, what to do if you are exposed to risk, and how to report any incidences and obtain the correct post-exposure advice, treatment and follow-up) and vaccinations, and paying for this. They should also be providing the correct personal protective equipment you need.
The Op hasn't said in what capacity they are working for this client and what care they are giving, so it's difficult to assess whether there is a high risk here or not, TBH.
The only side effect I ever had from numerous Hep B vaccinations was a bit of a headache, easily sorted with a couple of paracetamol.

[Endofthelinefinally]

Sorry it is QCC.