Mary Harney
Question:69 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the reason health workers who are working with geriatric patients are last on the list to be given hepatitis vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/96]
Written Answers. - Hepatitis Vaccinations.
Limerick East): It is departmental policy that all health care staff who have regular contact with blood and are at risk from occupational injury should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
In addition under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations, 1994, every employer has a duty to assess the risk to exposure of employees to hepatitis and to make vaccine available when necessary. The vaccination of staff working with elderly patients is, therefore, a matter in the first instance for the employing authority.