Personal immunization against hepatitis B.

Doctors represent a high risk category for contracting hepatitis B virus. We report obstacles to our vaccination programme. Thirty per cent of the doctors (mainly Middle Eastern origin) were naturally immune to hepatitis, 29% received vaccination on completion of their pre-employment medical. However, 32% did not present for vaccination despite a total of 224 letters being dispatched, an average of 5.5 letters per doctor. Three medical staff were found to be HbsAg positive. More encouragement is required for those doctors who fail to attend for immunization. Measures such as: being a pre-requisite for employment, or withholding pay could be considered in high risk areas.