Which vaccine are hospitals mandated to provide to their employees free of charge according to OSHA regulations?

Hospitals are mandated to provide the Hepatitis B vaccine to their employees free of charge according to OSHA regulations. This requirement stems from the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which aims to protect healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne diseases, of which Hepatitis B is a significant risk. Given the nature of many healthcare jobs, workers are at increased risk of coming into contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials, making vaccination essential for their health and safety.

Providing the Hepatitis B vaccine at no cost ensures that healthcare workers have access to this important preventive measure, thereby reducing the likelihood of infection and promoting workplace safety. In addition, the regulation emphasizes the importance of vaccination programs within healthcare settings to protect not only the staff but also the patients they serve.

While other vaccines like the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are also important for healthcare workers, they do not have the same mandated provision under OSHA specifically addressing bloodborne pathogens, which is why the Hepatitis B vaccine is the correct answer in this context.