Vol. 467 No. 7
71 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the policy of payment in respect of hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunisation; if such immunisation is free on request for persons working in the health and sanitary areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13972/96]
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. The vaccination of staff working outside the health services is a matter in the first instance for the employing authority.
I should also point out that under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations, 1994 every employer has a duty to assess the risk of exposure of employees to hepatities. If that risk assessment reveals that there is a risk to the health of employees due to their exposure then vaccination must be offered free of charge to employees.
