Which vaccine is recommended for health care workers to prevent hepatitis B?

Health care workers are at an increased risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). The hepatitis B vaccine is specifically designed to provide immunity against this virus, which can cause serious health issues, including chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

By receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, health care workers can significantly reduce their risk of contracting the virus and transmitting it to patients or other colleagues. Vaccination is a critical component of infection control and prevention strategies in healthcare settings.

The other vaccines listed do not specifically target hepatitis B. MMR protects against measles, mumps, and rubella; PPSV23 is for pneumococcal pneumonia; and Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. While these vaccines are important for overall health and prevention of various diseases, they do not provide the necessary protection against hepatitis B specifically, highlighting why the hepatitis B vaccine is the appropriate choice for health care workers.