Vaccination of health care workers

Abstract

Health care personnel, including laboratory workers, are at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases from patients, their blood or other body fluids. Health care workers may also transmit infection to their patients. These workers should be appropriately vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus, the influenza viruses and the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella zoster viruses. Vaccination against these agents is discussed, including issues regarding the vaccination of immunocompromised health care workers and factors that influence the uptake of vaccines amongst health care workers.