The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 2 | Page 21

A Guide for First Responders
HOW CAN FIRST RESPONDERS 
PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM 
INFECTION?
IS HEPATITIS A VACCINE 
ROUTINELY RECOMMENDED 
FOR FIRST RESPONDERS?
No. HAV vaccine is not routinely
recommended for first responders as
the risk of getting infected can be
minimized
by
using
simple
precautions. These include:
*
*
*
*
*
Hand hygiene (wash with soap
and water or use an alcohol‐
based hand rub) after having
contact with another individual
and
before
touching
or
consuming food.
When there is a potential for
contact with infectious materials
(e.g., stool), gloves should be
worn.
Gloves should be used only
during patient care and removed
before performing other tasks to
avoid
contaminating
other
surfaces. Hand hygiene should be
performed after gloves are
removed.
*
*
There is a hepatitis A vaccine
which offers protection against
HAV.
Currently
there
are
no
recommendations
for
first
responders to get vaccinated in
response to this outbreak.
Hand washing and appropriate
use of Standard Precautions
should
provide
protection
against communicable diseases,
including hepatitis A.
Persons wanting to obtain
immunity who have never been
ill with hepatitis A or were not
previously vaccinated, should
discuss vaccination with their
healthcare provider.
PHOTO credit: https://opelikaobserver.com/wp‐
content/uploads/2018/09/1498751268.png
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