JAGTIAL, JANUARY 28, 2026: In a move aimed at preventing the spread of hepatitis B among vulnerable healthcare workers, the District Medical and Health Department has launched the administration of the vaccine at UPHC JS Ramwell in Jagtial district on Monday. Deputy DMHO Dr N Srinivasd, DIO Dr Narender, HEO Dr Srinivas, HS Mankidi Srinivas and others were also present.
This initiative was taken up to vaccinate all healthcare workers who are at an increased risk of acquiring Hepatitis-B infection, such as those involved in conducting deliveries, giving injections and exposed to blood or blood products. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers with occupational exposure who have not received a complete primary series.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It is transmitted when blood, semen or another body fluid from a person infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles/syringes, needle injuries, or other invasive equipment; or from mother to baby at birth. There is no specific treatment for acute Hepatitis B disease. Clinical management is based on supportive therapy and relief of symptoms.
HBV infection is a well-recognised occupational risk for health-care workers (including trainees), and others (e.g. housekeeping staff, emergency workers) exposed to infected blood and body fluids or blood-contaminated environments. Because of their contact with patients or infectious material, health-care workers are at considerably greater risk of HBV infection than the general population. Health-care workers are often unaware of all exposures to potentially infectious blood and body fluids or contaminated environments. Even when exposures are recognised, health-care workers often do not seek post-exposure prophylaxis. Hepatitis B vaccination safeguards health workers when administered early, ideally before occupational exposure, and provides greater protection for patients from infection through exposure to contaminated environments or infected workers.
