Employers must offer free vaccines to protect home health aides from which disease?

Employers must offer free vaccines to protect home health aides from Hepatitis B because this virus can lead to serious liver disease and is easily transmitted through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids. Home health aides are at a higher risk of encountering situations where they might be exposed to blood, such as in the course of providing personal care or healthcare services to clients with health issues. Vaccination against Hepatitis B is a proactive measure to safeguard the health of caregivers and prevent the spread of the virus.

Although vaccines for other diseases like Influenza, Measles, and Tuberculosis are also important for healthcare workers, the requirement for employers to provide the Hepatitis B vaccine specifically relates to the unique risks faced by healthcare workers in home settings, aligning with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens.