Building the evidence for hepatitis B vaccination programs for students and researchers working with biological samples in Indian Institutes of Higher Education.

Background: Individuals working with biological samples in Indian universities are at risk for occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and may not be vaccinated.

Aim: We documented the need for HBV vaccination in students and others, developed an institutional HBV vaccination program, delivered HBV vaccines, and then assessed the determinants of vaccine uptake.

Methods: Over a year, we conducted a prospective cohort study documenting the need for HBV vaccination in people working with biological materials in a major Indian institution, developed a HBV vaccination program, delivered HBV vaccines, and assessed determinants of vaccine uptake.