Getting the Hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. After vaccination, or becoming infected with the virus, your body develops antibodies that protect you in the future.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is given as 3-4 shots over a period of 6 months.

To help reduce the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, OSHA created the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard in 1991 and Congress passed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in 2000. These regulations developed engineering and pathogen control requirements to improve needlestick protection and to protect employees from Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).

To reduce the chances of contracting the Hepatitis B virus or other bloodborne pathogens, a person should get vaccinated, wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when around blood or body fluids, wash hands frequently and thoroughly, and adequately sanitize and disinfect surfaces. Bloodborne pathogens can survive outside the body for up to 7 days, therefore, a disinfectant with a bloodborne pathogen claim should be used.

For a listing of Multi-Clean liquid disinfectants or disinfecting wipes that are effective on Hepatitis B, please visit Multi-Clean’s Hospital-Grade Disinfectants webpage.

For more information about Hepatitis B, check out the Infection Control webpage, Hepatitis B Infection & Disease, or the CDC webpage.