Hepatitis B vaccination status of medical officers at The Canberra Hospital

Abstract

In November 1996, a study was conducted to determine the proportion of doctors fully vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) at The Canberra Hospital (TCH) and identify the reasons for either non- or inadequate vaccination. TCH currently recommends that all heath-care workers maintain an HBV antibody level above l00mIU/ml. Antibody levels should be checked, and a booster vaccination given if required, every 3 to 5 years. In all, 269 confidential, coded questionnaires were distributed to the entire medical staff, including interns, residents, registrars, visiting medical officers and staff specialists. They were asked whether they were immunised against HB and, if so, when they were vaccinated and how many doses they had received. The doctors were also asked if their antibody level was tested post-vaccination and, if so, the result. If vaccination did not occur or was incomplete, the reason for this was requested. Participants were also asked if they considered themselves at risk of acquiring HBV. The 177 questionnaires (66 per cent) returned showed an overall 87 per cent compliance with the recommended staff HBV vaccination schedule. Sixty per cent of respondents were vaccinated more than 5 years ago, while 27 per cent either had not had or could not recall having a post-vaccination HBV antibody test. Where an HBV antibody test had been performed, 60 per cent of responders knew that their antibody level was >100 mIU/ml. Results of the study indicate that, although the level of HBV protection in TCH medical staff is comparable with reported vaccination rates of similar groups overseas, compliance with the recommended schedule for this at-risk group of health-care workers is sub-optimal.