Which vaccine must be offered to employees with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

The Hepatitis B vaccine is specifically recommended for employees who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens due to its effectiveness in preventing Hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can be transmitted through exposure to blood and other body fluids, which makes vaccination critical for healthcare workers and others in high-risk occupations.

Offering the Hepatitis B vaccine ensures that employees have optimal protection against this virus, which can lead to severe health complications. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also mandates that employers provide this vaccine to employees at risk of exposure, enhancing workplace safety and health overall.

While the influenza vaccine is important for preventing respiratory illness, tetanus containing vaccines protect against bacterial infections, and the Hepatitis A vaccine is aimed at a different virus that is not typically transmitted through blood, neither of these options addresses the specific risk posed by bloodborne pathogens as directly as the Hepatitis B vaccine does.