Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

When should a Hepatitis B vaccine be administered to new employees?

1. Immediately upon hire

2. Within 10 days of employment

3. After 30 days on the job

4. When exposure is suspected

The correct answer is: Within 10 days of employment

The administration of the Hepatitis B vaccine to new employees, particularly those working in healthcare settings, is recommended within 10 days of employment. This timeline is based on guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which emphasize the importance of protecting healthcare workers from potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B. Vaccination shortly after hiring is crucial because it helps to ensure that employees are adequately protected before they may encounter situations where they could be exposed to the virus in their role. The 10-day window allows new employees enough time to receive the vaccine as part of their onboarding process, aligning their health protection needs with their responsibilities on the job. Administering the vaccine at this stage also demonstrates the employer’s commitment to worker safety. In contrast, options that suggest delaying vaccination beyond this timeframe do not reflect best practices for infection control in healthcare environments. Delaying until after employment or only administering upon suspected exposure increases the risk of infection for new employees, making option B the optimal choice.