Which vaccinations are recommended for employees in different work areas?
January 10, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Erika Keck
Dear Doctor,
My name is Carsten Völker and I have been working in an office as an administrative assistant for many years. Lately, I have been hearing more about vaccinations that are recommended for employees in different work areas. Since I work in an office, I am wondering if there are any specific vaccinations that are recommended for me as well.
So far, I have only been vaccinated against the flu, as it is offered by our employer. However, I am concerned that there may be other vaccinations that could be important for office workers. I worry that I may not be adequately protected against diseases that could be spread in the office or through professional contacts.
Could you please provide me with information on which vaccinations are recommended for office workers? Are there specific vaccinations that protect against typical diseases in an office setting? And how often should these vaccinations be refreshed to ensure lasting protection?
I would greatly appreciate your expertise and recommendations to best protect my health and that of my colleagues. Thank you in advance for your help!
Sincerely,
Carsten Völker
Dear Mr. Völker,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding recommended vaccinations for office employees. As an occupational health physician, it is important to me to protect the health of working professionals as best as possible, so I am happy to provide you with information on this matter.
As an office clerk, you belong to a group of professionals who may be at less direct risk of certain infectious diseases compared to other work areas. Nevertheless, there are some vaccinations that can also be recommended for office employees to protect themselves from potentially communicable diseases.
Apart from the flu vaccine offered by your employer, there are some additional vaccinations that may be recommended for office workers. These include, for example, vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap vaccine), which should typically be refreshed every 10 years. This vaccination not only protects you but also helps reduce the spread of these diseases in the population.
Furthermore, a vaccination against hepatitis A and B may also be useful, especially if you travel a lot for work or have contact with international business partners. These vaccinations protect you from liver diseases caused by viruses that can be transmitted through infected food or bodily fluids.
Regarding specific vaccinations against typical diseases in the office, it is important to note that the transmission of diseases in office environments usually occurs through droplet infection or direct contact. Therefore, vaccinations such as the one against influenza (flu) and the aforementioned vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are particularly relevant.
To ensure lasting protection, it is important to regularly refresh your vaccinations. Your general practitioner or an occupational health physician can assist you with this and inform you about the recommended refresh intervals.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize the importance of not only protecting yourself but also contributing to minimizing the spread of diseases in the work environment. By getting vaccinated regularly and practicing good hand hygiene, you help yourself and your colleagues stay healthy.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in your health and that of your colleagues.
Best regards,
Erika Keck, Occupational Health Physician
