MUFIA Link Safety & Conduct Link Internships & Employment Link
_Hepatitis B Information

Many students will be working with human body fluids in DNA laboratories during the course of their educational experience at the Marshall University Forensic Science Center. For your safety, you are required to be vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus and to have your immune status confirmed by having a Hepatitis B titer performed. If you have been vaccinated and have confirmation of your immune status, please bring your records with you to Orientation. For those who have not been vaccinated at the time of Orientation, information will be provided on how to obtain the vaccination series and titer through the Internal Medicine Clinic at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine or through the Cabell-Huntington Health Department. If after receiving training in safe handling of blood and body fluids you elect not to be vaccinated, it will be necessary that you assume this responsibility by completing the Hepatitis B Declination form.

Students must have complete Hepatitis B records or a signed copy of the Hepatitis B Declination Form on file in the Forensic Science Program Office during the 2nd term in the Program. Hepatitis B Forms are found in the last section of the Student Handbook, entitled Forms.

Or for download here: Hepatitis B Forms

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Staton at 304.690.4363 ext 202 or staton1@marshall.edu

The Disease
Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) which causes death in 1-2% of hepatitis patients.  Most people with Hepatitis B recover completely, but approximately 5-10% become chronic carriers of the virus.  Most of these individuals have no symptoms, but can continue to transmit the disease to others. Some may develop acute or chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. HBV also appears to be a causative factor in the development of liver cancer. Thus, immunization against Hepatitis B may prevent hepatitis and also reduce sickness and death from active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

The Vaccine
Recombivax HB is a non-infectious subunit viral vaccine derived from Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in yeast cells. The vaccine is free of association with human blood or blood products. Each lot of vaccine is tested for safety, in mice and guinea pigs, and for sterility. There is no evidence that the vaccine has ever caused Hepatitis B. However, persons who have been infected with HBV prior to immunization may go on to develop clinical hepatitis in spite of immunization. Note that persons with immune system abnormalities have less response to the vaccine, but over half of those receiving it do develop protective antibodies.

Full immunization requires 3 doses of vaccine over a six month period. The 2nd injection is received 1 month from the 1st injection, while the 3rd injection is received 5 months from the 2nd injection. Every effort should be made to adhere to this schedule for optimal results. Seven months from the first injection, a Hepatitis B titer is performed to confirm the individual’s immune status. Once vaccination is started, work can commence. However, if an exposure is sustained prior to completion of the series and/or without response to the vaccine, a dose of Hepatitis B immune globulin within 7 days of exposure is recommended. The duration of immunity is unknown at this time.

Possible Vaccine Side Effects
Recombivax HB is generally well tolerated. No serious adverse reactions attributable to the vaccine have been reported during the course of clinical trials. A few persons experience tenderness and redness at the site of injection. A low grade fever may occur. The most frequent systemic complaints include fatigue, weakness, headache, and malaise.
All attending Graduate Students are required to read the Forensic Science Center's:
Safety Manual

Bottom Edge Design
Marshall University Forensic Science Center
1401 Forensic Science Drive, Huntington, WV, 25701
Telephone: 304-690-4363 Fax: 304-690-4360
Email: forensics@marshall.edu
© Copyright 2001-2005. All rights reserved