Explanation of Immunization Requirements CONTENTS Hepatitis A... 2 Hepatitis B... 3 Influenza... 4 Measles (Rubella), Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)... 5 Pertussis (Tdap)... 6 Tuberculosis (TB) Test... 7 Varicella/Chicken Pox... 8 The facilities with whom you are registered make the ultimate determination about requirements. Documents listed under the required tab indicate information that must be provided. Failure to provide required information affects your access to the facility and your ability to do business with the healthcare system. 1
Immunizations HEPATITIS A IMMUNIZATION Two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine, given at least six months apart, OR, blood titer results indicating your immunity to Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccination documentation will not expire. This vaccine prevents heptatis A, a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool of those infected and can be spread by close personal contact and sometimes, by eating food or drinking water containing HAV. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. 2
HEPATITIS B (HEP B) IMMUNIZATION Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine, OR a blood titer test indicating your immunity to Hepatitis B. Note: If you are still in the process of getting your vaccines, your Vendormate account is placed on ALERT status until the third dosage can be verified. The hepatitis B vaccination documentation will not expire. The Hep B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. The Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. People in healthcare environments are particularly at risk due to accidental needlestick injuries or other blood transmissions. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. 3
INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION By uploading documentation described below, you can provide proof that you have received the 2012 2013 influenza vaccine. Note: The 2012 2013 vaccine became available in August 2012. Any documentation showing vaccines administered prior to August 2012 will be rejected. Please note, not all hospitals will accept a written declination. Your influenza vaccination expires seasonally. You should receive a new one each year when the new vaccine is released (late summer or early fall). Vendormate will notify you via email to submit your new vaccine documentation. This annual vaccine provides protection against the highly variable influenza virus. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. 4
MEASLES, MUMPS AND RUBELLA (MMR) IMMUNIZATION Two doses of MMR vaccine if born in/after 1957; one dose if born prior to 1957 Or, a blood titer test indicating your immunity to mumps, measles AND rubella Your MMR vaccination documentation will not expire. Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases that can involve illness, disability, and death. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. While one dose of MMR is the general recommendation for adults 18+, people who work in healthcare setting are at greater risk and two doses are often required to fulfill the document requirement. The verification is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for healthcare professionals; see www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/provisional/default.htm for additional information. 5
PERTUSSIS (TDAP) IMMUNIZATION By uploading documentation described below, you can provide proof that you have received the Tdap vaccine for prevention of pertussis (whooping cough). Note: At this time, the Tdap vaccine is the only acceptable proof of immunity; Td, tetanus or DTaP DO NOT fulfill this requirement. Additionally, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blood titer results do not provide conclusive proof of immunity and DO NOT fulfill the requirement. Currently, the CDC does not know how long the pertussis vaccine will last. As the vaccine has only been around since 2005, they are not sure when and/or if a booster will be required for pertussis. Therefore, your pertussis vaccination information is valid in the Vendormate system for ten years. Upon expiration, Vendormate will notify you via email to submit your new vaccine documentation. Your expiration date will be updated automatically in the Vendormate system IF the CDC determines no booster is required. Pertussis is caused by bacteria spread from person-to-person; symptoms include severe coughing spells, vomiting and disturbed sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to hospitalization or further complications, including pneumonia. Tdap protects against pertussis, as well as tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. 6
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TEST TB test with negative results OR, verification of chest x-ray conducted within one year that shows no signs of active TB OR, verification of chest x-ray conducted over one year ago, accompanied by an additional symptom questionnaire/letter from your physician showing you are symptom-free of TB. Note: If providing a Tuberculosis test, you must include the date the test was taken AND the date the negative results were read. If you tested positive, see chest x-ray information above. Your TB test expires annually. While chest x-rays do not expire, the required symptom questionnaire/letter that accompanies the chest x-ray expires annually. Upon expiration, Vendormate will notify you via email to submit your new TB documentation. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is spread through the air from one person (coughing, sneezing, talking, etc.) to another. It is a potentially lethal infectious disease usually found in the lungs. Though easily treated in the latent stage, not everyone shows symptoms. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to be tested for tuberculosis as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. TB disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States. 7
Varicella (Chicken Pox) Immunization Two doses of the varicella vaccine OR, one dose of the Shingles vaccine OR, blood titer results indicating your immunity to varicella OR, medical record showing history of varicella or shingles Acceptable Documentation: Required Information: Note: If you had chickenpox as a child and have no medical records, you can obtain a blood titer result to show proof of immunity. Your varicella vaccination documentation will not expire. Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common childhood disease that is usually mild, but can be serious especially in adults. It causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness, and can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage or death. The chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person through air or contact with blister fluid. Vendors and staff working in a healthcare environment are typically required to have this vaccination as part of the hospital s overall infection control strategy. Copyright 2012 Vendormate, Inc. All rights reserved. 8