Q. If an employee who handles blood as part of their job is offered the hepatitis B vaccine, but refuses it... what paper work is required?
A. Below is an example of a declination statement which should be signed/dated by the employee and kept on file in the office.
“ I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious body fluids, I may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. I have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to myself. However, I decline the hepatitis B vaccine at this time. I understand that by declining this vaccine, I continue to be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B which is a serious disease. If in the future I continue to have occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious body fluids and I want to be vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine, I can receive the vaccination at no cost to me.”
Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy. 
