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 uptake amongst health workers. In this study, the overall uptake of a safe effective vaccine is still shown to be inadequate. However, a low perception of risk is the main reason stated for this behaviour. Needlestick 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.