Hepatitis B Shots Available for Manchester Police Department

Manchester police Chief Tim Walsh addressed the Manchester Board of Aldermen Monday night about getting Hepatitis B shots for police department staff. Walsh said it's a topic that came up as the department is going through the process of seeking state certification from the Missouri Police Chief's Association.

Walsh said the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) requires first responders have available to them a vaccination for Hepatitis B and to receive it at no cost.

"We are revising the policies and procedures of the police department. We came across this standard by OSHA," Walsh said.

Hepatitis B is transferred by blood and other bodily fluids. 

"So what we're talking about are our prisoners in the jail, with an inmate who gets injured or bloody, or searching cars, or searching a prisoner and having an officer searching an inmate and getting stuck by a syringe," Walsh explained to aldermen.

The vaccination will include not only officers, but other employees who come in contact with the jail. 

Vaccinations are not required, but 27 employees have acknowledged that they want to receive the Hepatitis B shots. 

Walsh said the process would require a three shot series of vaccination injections over a three month period. It will cost $80 per shot, equalling $240 a person with total cost of over $6,000, Walsh said. He said they could adjust the budget accordingly later in the year if it's necessary.

Other Business:

• Aldermen also unanimously approved $70,521 for the purchase of three new police vehicles.

For more details on Monday's meeting see the above agenda and supporting documents included in the PDF portion of this article.