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755 Bloodborne Pathogens Program Management
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Declining a Vaccination

Employers must ensure that workers who decline vaccination sign a declination form. The purpose of this is to encourage greater participation in the vaccination program by stating that a worker declining the vaccination remains at risk of acquiring hepatitis B.

The form also states that if a worker initially declines to receive the vaccine, but at a later date decides to accept it, the employer is required to make it available, at no cost, provided the worker is still occupationally exposed.

Real-life Scenario

Tony had decided earlier to decline the hepatitis B vaccination, but has changed his mind and now wants the vaccination.

No.

Explanation: Typically, only employers are required to pay for the Hepatitis B vaccination series. Post-secondary schools can require the vaccination series as an admissions requirement, and require the applicant to pay for the cost. There have been instances where public school districts (K-12) have been required to pay for the vaccination series if there is a potential for the student to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens as part of their coursework.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

8-4. Employers must ensure that workers who decline a vaccination, _____.