Hepatitis B vaccinations for police officers and staff

The British Medical Association (BMA) has written to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Association of Police Authorities (APA) to clarify the situation in respect of the provision of free hepatitis B immunisation vaccinations.

The BMA has pointed out that there is no obligation for GPs to provide free immunisation vaccinations to police officers or staff.

Under the health and safety regulations, the responsibility for the provision of occupational health services is that of the employer, i.e. the police force, and the costs incurred would have to be borne by the police service. The BMA also advises that GP practices are allowed to enter into private contracts with employers to provide such vaccinations to their employees, and recommends this approach.

ACPO advice is that police forces should engage in a process of risk assessment to determine which of their officers and staff are in need of the additional protection given by these vaccinations, then make arrangements (such as those set out in the BMA letter) to provide them.

In cases where the risk of infection has significantly increased to an officer or member of staff, e.g. if they have been exposed to blood or other body fluids from a person suspected of having hepatitis B, they should be advised to seek immediate medical attention from their local accident and emergency department. There is a national protocol for treatment of blood-borne viruses in such cases.