Vaccination Recommended For Aduls At High Risk For Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Frederick Health Department has increased its capacity to administer hepatitis B and combined hepatitis A and B vaccine to adults who are most at risk for exposure to the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Funding for this project has been made possible through The Center for Immunization of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).

Darlene Armacost, Communicable Disease Program Manager states, "We are very pleased to extend this opportunity to the community and to raise awareness about hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent HBV infection and its consequences."

The hepatitis B vaccine is being offered for free until supplies are exhausted to adults who meet one of the high risk criteria described below. For those adults who do not qualify, hepatitis B vaccine will continue to be available on a fee for service basis. Those interested may call 301-600-3342 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Those who are at high risk for hepatitis B include:

• Intravenous drug users who share needles

• Men who have sex with other men

• Anyone who has unprotected sex with a man or woman who has the hepatitis B virus

• People who live with a hepatitis B carrier

• Anyone who has multiple sex partners

• People who live or work in institutions for the developmentally disabled

• People who have hemophilia or who are on kidney dialysis

• People born in Asia, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, the Pacific Islands and their children, as well as Alaskan natives With the successful integration of hepatitis B vaccine into the childhood immunization schedule and the subsequent decline in acute hepatitis B in children, the incidence of acute hepatitis B is now highest among adults. In 2005, adults accounted for approximately 95% of an estimated 51,000 new HBV infections in the United States. HBV transmission occurs primarily among unvaccinated adults, with sexual and drug-related behavioral risk factors accounting for approximately 80% of new cases. However, vaccination coverage among adults with behavioral risks for HBV remains low.

According to the Hepatitis C Support Project, about one in twenty Americans have been infected with HBV and among those infected, approximately one in four may experience serious liver damage. Hepatitis B is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people.

The virus can be spread during sex, by sharing needles, by getting stuck with a hepatitis B contaminated needle, or by getting blood or other infected body fluids in the mouth or eyes, or onto broken skin. The virus can also be passed from mother to baby, usually at the time of birth. The virus is not spread by shaking hands, hugging, or sharing food or drink.

source:www.emaxhealth.com