Dentistry Faculty Staff and Students Vaccinated against HBV
On October 17th, 2022, a specialized team from the Ministry of Health, KRG, was invited by Dr. Lezan Dawood, the Polyclinic Director, to the Faculty of Dentistry at Tishk International University.
This visit aimed to provide Anti-Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccinations to staff and students of the Faculty of Dentistry. The vaccination procedure adhered to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and was conducted under the supervision of specialized physicians in order to monitor any side effects or complications that may happen after vaccination.
The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the most easily transmitted bloodborne virus seen in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of contracting HBV from infected patients and, if infected, are at risk of spreading HBV to patients. The virus can cause severe liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is given as a series of shots, usually over a period of 6 months. Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease that is a severe worldwide health concern. It is particularly concerning in Asia-Pacific, where chronic HBV infection is common. Chronic HBV infection is expected to impact more than 350 million people globally, around 75% being Asian.
Most researchers believe that dentists get the virus through a wound in their fingers that has been infected by the patient’s blood or saliva. Because the virus is carried by nasopharyngeal secretions, the chance of infection via aerosol, although remote, still exists. The vaccine to prevent hepatitis B should emerge as the primary mode of protection in high-risk groups such as dentists.
The Faculty of Dentistry at Tishk International University always ensures to maintain a safe and healthy environment for staff and students to continue their development and prosperity with good health. Certificates of appreciation were given to the team members by Dr. Lezan Dawood to thank them for their performance. Vaccination teams are periodically invited to the Faculty to provide free vaccination to everyone against different viruses, such as Hepatitis and Corona Viruses.