Hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare personnel —National Health Interview Survey, 2010

Background: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis B virus. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all HCP receive >3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). In 2009, estimated ≥3 doses coverage was approximately 65% among HCP aged ≥18 years. The Healthy People 2010 goal for HCP HepB vaccination was 90%.

Methods: We used the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to determine weighted proportions of self-reported HepB vaccination coverage (≥1 and ≥3 doses) among HCP aged ≥18 years. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with receipt of HepB vaccination.

Results: In 2010, the median age of all HCP respondents was 43 years (range: 18-85 years). Overall, 69.5% (95% CI: 67.2%–71.8%) and 63.4% (60.8%-65.9%) of HCP, aged ≥18 years, reported receiving ≥1 and ≥3 doses of HepB vaccination, respectively, compared with 27.1% (26.1%-28.1%) and 23.0% (22.1%-24.0%) among non-HCP. Approximately 80.7% (78.2%-83.1%) and 74.0% (71.2%-76.8%) of HCP with direct patient contact received ≥1 and ≥3 doses of HepB vaccination, respectively; 91.2% of all HCP who received an initial HepB dose completed the vaccine series. Among HCPs, younger age, female sex, having direct patient care, ever tested for HIV, higher level of education and being above the poverty level was each independently associated with receipt of ≥1 dose.

Conclusion: The 2010 estimate of HepB vaccination coverage among HCP remained below the Healthy People 2010 goal. Efforts to immunize unvaccinated HCP should increase.