HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION - HOW MANY DOCTORS ARE FULLY COVERED

Hepatitis B is an important health hazard to both health care workers and the patients they treat. Concerns over the safety of the original vaccine were reported in early studies as reasons for poor vaccine upt ake amongst health workers. In this study, the overall uptake of a saf e effective vaccine is still shown to be inadequate. However, a low pe rception of risk is the main reason stated for this behaviour. Needles tick injuries remain common, and a poor knowledge of action necessary is shown. A vaccine programme for junior housemen is shown to increase uptake substantially and is advocated for other grades.