Immunization Requirements for a Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists work in medical settings, specifically with blood, through which many diseases are transferred. All medical organizations require certain immunizations for health care workers, with a portion of those immunizations being standard for everyone and others that depend on the nature of the work. Vaccination requirements in the United States for the general population provide a good starting point, but health care workers are at a higher risk for contraction of disease that the general population is not.

Hepatitis B Series

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hepatitis B is the biggest threat to health care workers. Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids; phlebotomists work with blood and so the CDC recommends that those working frequently with blood be vaccinated.

Diptheria-Tetanus

• While phlebotomists and other health care workers are not at an increased risk for transmission of diphtheria or tetanus, the CDC recommends that all adults be vaccinated. Children are routinely administered this vaccine but it does require a booster shot every 10 years, which phlebotomists need to keep up with.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella

• Also known as the MMR vaccine, measles, mumps and rubella are administered in one vaccine. The CDC reports that the risk of measles infection is 13 times higher for medical personnel than for the general population. Out of the three, measles is the most contagious and so vaccination is required by medical organizations for phlebotomists. MMR is administered to children, so the CDC recommends vaccination only for those who do not have documentation of being vaccinated on or after their first birthday.

Vaccinia

• Otherwise known as smallpox, the vaccine's routine administration was discontinued in 1976, according to the CDC. It is still available and is recommended for health care workers who come into contact with infectious material, such as blood, in laboratory studies/setting with infected patients.

Varicella

• Varicella is also known as chicken pox. Chicken pox is highly contagious, according to the CDC, and persons who have not had chicken pox before should be vaccinated. While chicken pox is not likely to be fatal, medical workers are in contact with patients who may have compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women and children, so immunization is recommended.

Influenza

• Also known as the flu, the CDC recommends that all health care workers be vaccinated during flu season, which runs from September through the remaining winter months. Although death from influenza is not probable, it does cause employees to miss work and can spread throughout the staff and patients, so workers should be vaccinated.