The fifth edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) states that personal health status may impact an individual’s susceptibility to infection, ability to receive immunizations or prophylactic interventions. This statement is included even in biosafety level 1 laboratories, so be sure to address this for all biological laboratories.
Laboratory supervisors are responsible for ensuring that training regarding each individual’s duties and the precautions to take to prevent exposure is held. An integral part of this training is to inform lab workers about immune competence and conditions that may cause individuals to be more susceptible to infection.
Individuals should universally be encouraged to self-identify to the occupational healthcare provider if they are immunocompromised in any way. Guidance on each individual situation should be provided by an occupational health physician or the individual’s physician.