Immunizations
To protect our employees and patients, all
University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty/staff should be evaluated
to determine susceptibility to infectious diseases. Immunization and/or
titers are offered for the following:
* Measles (Rubeola)
* Rubella
* Hepatitis
A
* Hepatitis
B
* Influenza
(flu)
* Rabies
* Varicella
(chicken pox)
* Pneumovax vaccine
Learn more about vaccines and current recommendations.
To obtain a copy of your immunization record, please call (901)-448-5630. Allow
24 to 48 hours for your records to be processed. Records can be picked up in
our office or mailed out to you. If you would like your records faxed please
fax a signed release to (901)- 448-7255.
For those at risk to exposure, the following is required for all Medical
Center faculty, staff and housestaff:
* Provide written documentation of
two tuberculin skin test results during the 12 months prior to beginning
practice, one of which
needs to be within the past 12 months. If previous tuberculin skin test result
is positive, clearance must be provided by the Memphis/Shelby County Health
Dept.. Thereafter, a tuberculin skin test is required annually for all
negative reactors..
* Provide
proof of varicella (chickenpox) immunity via a blood titer or documentation
of disease or immunization
* If
born on or after January 1, 1957, provide proof of two immunizations for
measles at least one month
apart or immunity via
a blood titer. (Persons born before this date are considered immune to measles)
* Provide proof of one immunization
for rubella or immunity via a blood titer
* Provide
proof of one immunization for mumps or immunity via a blood titer
* For
those who may be exposed to blood, body fluid or human tissue, the Hepatitis
B vaccine is strongly
encouraged and
provided without charge, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)-mandated
educational materials are provided. Employees those who choose to decline these
services must sign a declination statement to that effect.
Measles (Rubeola)
Measles is a highly contagious and often serious disease. Measles infection
can have serious complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and death.
If you
were born on or after January 1, 1957, you should receive the vaccine. For
those born before January 1, 1957, the immunization is not required.
NOTE: You do not need to be revaccinated if you can provide documentation of
two live measles vaccinations after your 1st birthday at least one month apart
or laboratory evidence of immunity to measles (rubeola).
Rubella
Rubella is a highly contagious viral illness with symptoms very similar
to rubeola but differs in the severity of symptoms and length of illness.
The most serious
threat of rubella is to the pregnant female who has never had rubella.
If exposed to rubella, they can contract the disease which can cause
serious problems for
the unborn baby.
* How do I know if I'm immune? You
are considered immune if you have had a rubella vaccine. If your birth
date is
before January
1, 1957, you will not be required to have the immunization.
* What if I'm not immune? If a blood
test find you to be non-immune, meaning you do not have immunity to rubella,
the
MMR vaccine will be required..
* What
if I was born after January 1, 1957? For those born on or after this date,
you will need to get the
vaccine if the
risk applies to you.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. Hepatitis A is transmitted
primarily by person-to-person contact, generally through fecal contamination
and oral ingestion.
Transmission is facilitated by poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation, and
intimate contact.
* Who should get the vaccine? Persons
encouraged to get the vaccine are those with an occupational risk of infection;
such as
day care personnel, sewage workers, military personnel, and those who work
with infected primates or those who work with hepatitis A in a research setting.
Others
include: persons with chronic liver disease, international travelers to areas
of high or intermediate risk of transmission, children living in communities
with high rates of hepatitis A, sexually active homosexual and bisexual men,
and IV drug users.
* How can I get the vaccine? You must
schedule an appointment with the University Health Services to discuss your
need for
the vaccine. If your need is determined to be related to your job, UHS will
administer
the vaccine and charge your department.. However, if your need is determined
to be personal, you would be charged personnally for the vaccine.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis
B virus.
* How is it transmitted? Hepatitis
B can be transmitted to health care workers by exposure to blood or body
fluids
from
hepatitis B infected patients. The risk of contracting hepatitis B from a
needlestick with a hepatitis B contaminated needle is 35-40%. The risk from
a splash to
the eyes is much less. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but the vaccine
can effectively
prevent hepatitis B if you are exposed to the virus.
* Who should take the vaccine? Anyone
who is at risk for contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials
is strongly encouraged to receive the hepatitis B vaccine series.
PLEASE NOTE: The US Public Health Service recommends the hepatitis B vaccine
series to all health care workers.
* How much does it cost? The hepatitis
B vaccine is offered by the university to all faculty/staff who, while performing
their job, could come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious
materials. Your department will be charged for the vaccine.
* How is it administered? It is given
as a series of three intramuscular injections: initial, one month later and
six
months later. UHS uses recombiant, noninfectious hepatitis B vaccine.
* What
if I don't want to take the vaccine? Anyone at risk for exposure to blood
or other potentially infectious
materials
who does not wish to take the hepatitis B vaccine must sign a refusal statement.
However, if you later decide that you want the hepatitis B vaccine, UHS will
provide you the vaccine at that time at no charge. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all persons who, while performing
their job, could possibly come in contact with blood or other potentially
infectious materials be offered the hepatitis B vaccine series. See http://www.osha.gov.
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza or flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and
lungs that can make someone of any age ill.
* When do you get the flu? The flu
season in the United States is generally from about November through April.
* What are the symptoms of the flu?
You usually have fever, chills, cough, and soreness and aching in your
back,
arms, and legs.
* How long does the flu
last? Although most people are ill for only a few days, some people have
a much more serious
illness
that could even result in a hospital visit. On average, thousands of people
die each year in the United Stated from the flu or related complications.
* Who should get a flu shot? Any one
wishing to reduce their chances of catching the flu should get the vaccine.
Health
professionals and others in both hospital and outpatient-care settings who
have contact with
high-risk patients in all age groups, including children are strongly encouraged
to receive the immunization.
* Who should NOT get a flu shot? Any
one with an allergy to eggs that causes dangerous reactions and anyone who
has
ever been paralyzed with Guillain Barre syndrome should NOT get the vaccine.
Women
who are or might be pregnant should consult their doctor. Persons who are
ill and have fever should wait to take the shot until the fever or others
symptoms
are gone.
* How often do I need a flu shot? Because
the viruses that cause flu frequently change and because any immunity developed
in the previous year possibly decreases, it is recommended that you receive
the vaccination every year.
* Who is eligible for the shot and
how much does it cost? The flu shot is given free of charge to all UTHSC
faculty/staff
and students.
* Can I get the flu from getting the
shot? Since all viruses in the vaccine are killed, the vaccine cannot infect
anyone.
* How long does it take to start
working? The vaccine will begin to provide protection about one to two weeks
after
you receive the vaccine and immunity may decrease, on average, after several
months.
* Can I still get the flu after
taking the shot? Flu shots will not protect everyone from the flu. The flu
shot
also cannot
protect you against other illnesses that resemble the flu.
* When
does UHS give the flu shots? Flu shots are given by UHS from October
1 through Janunary 15 of each
year.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system. The virus is contained
in the saliva and certain body materials of rabid animals and humans.
* How do you get it? The most common
way a person is exposed to rabies is through bites by rabid animals.
* What is the Rabies vaccine? The
rabies vaccine is an inactivated-virus vaccine, available in both human
diploid
cell vaccine and rabies vaccine absorbed. Human rabies immune globulin is
used in
postexposure treatment of persons not previously immunized with rabies vaccine.
* Who needs the vaccine? All persons
exposed to rabies virus, regardless of prior immunization should get the
vaccine. Persons
whose occupations or activities place them at increased risk of exposure
include laboratory workers, forest rangers, taxidermists, veterinarians,
stock breeders,
hunters, and spelunkers and persons planning to be more than 30 days in an
area where rabies is a constant threat should get the vaccine.
Varicella (chicken pox)
Chicken pox, usually a mild childhood illness caused by the varicella virus,
can cause severe problems for adults who have never had chicken pox. These adults,
especially pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons, can develop
serious complications, such as dehydration, pneumonia, meningitis, and even death.
* How will I know if I'm immune? UHS will
draw blood for a varicella antibody test. A positive antibody titer
means you have had chicken pox and are unlikely to get it again. With a positive
antibody titer, you may work with patients who have chicken pox, even if
you
are pregnant.
NOTE: You will not need this varicella blood test if you have laboratory
documentation of a positive varicella titer.
* If
I had chicken pox as a child, isn't that good enough? Yes.UHS will accept
medical
documentation
of past disease.
* What
if I'm immune? If you are immune, no further action is needed. This result
will be entered into the UHS database and the laboratory report will be
filed in your
permanent medical record.
* What if I'm NOT immune? At this
time you will be offered
the Varivax (varicella virus vaccine) vaccination.
NOTE: If you are non-immune, you must inform your supervisor and UHS of any known
contact with a person who has chicken pox, whether at work or away from work.
University Health will assess your exposure and determine if it is safe for you
to work with patients during the incubation period for chicken pox.
* What is the Varivax Vaccine? It
is a series of two injections given one month apart of the Varicella Virus
Vaccine. This
is a live virus and is approximately 95% effective in preventing chicken pox.
Smallpox (or the pox virus)
Smallpox was an acute, contagious illness characterized by fever, backache, and
prostration followed by the appearance of an eruption of papules and vesicles
which became pustular by the eighth day.
* CDC information on Smallpox
*
President Bush's Smallpox FAQ
* CDC Smallpox Hotline: (888) 246-2675
HELPFUL
LINKS
*
Center
for Disease Control
*
OSHA
*
Immunization Action Coalition
*
Immunization Action Coalition's Vaccine
Information
A part of the above webpage was taken from: