ACYF Administration on Children, Youth and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families
	1. Log No. ACYF-IM-HS-95-17	2. Issuance Date: 04/03/95
	3. Originating Office: Head Start Bureau
	4. Key Word: Adult Hepatitis B Vaccine

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO: Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: Adult Hepatitis B vaccine

PURPOSE: To inform Head Start grantee and delegate agencies about the availability of the adult Hepatitis B vaccine at a reduced price.

BACKGROUND:

In August 1993, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued an Information Memorandum to all Head Start grantee and delegate agencies informing them of actions they needed to take in order to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation on occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. The memorandum identifies the circumstances that would require a Head Start employee to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within 10 days of their work assignment, and also identifies those employees who would need to be vaccinated within 24 hours of a possible exposure to Hepatitis B.

Some Head Start programs have found compliance with the OSHA standard for Hepatitis B vaccination to be very--challenging, because of the high cost of the vaccine. This has meant that they have had to make very difficult decisions about who receives the vaccine, or risk non-compliance and a possible fine from OSHA.

INFORMATION:

In 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a contract to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals which allows them to make available to all federal, state, and municipal agencies the adult Hepatitis B vaccine at a price below the state and private contract price. Head Start programs are eligible to purchase the reduced price vaccine. At the request of the Head Start program, the vaccine can either be sent directly to a Head Start site, or to another site where the vaccine will be administered, such as a local health department, or an Occupational Health Center.

The price of the adult vial is $26.25, at 10 doses per vial. Adult pre-filled syringes and single use vials are also available for 50 cents more.

In addition, SmithKline offers support services and materials to those who purchase the vaccine. These services include videos, educational brochures, awareness posters, and consultative services. There is no cost for the above services or materials for those who purchase the vaccine.

The reduced price vaccine and support services and materials are available until September 30, 1995. For more information, or to order the vaccine, Head Start programs should call (800) 546-HEPB.

/S/
Helen H. Taylor,
Associate Commissioner,
Head Start Bureau