Hepatitis Vaccine

To schedule your on-site Hepatitis clinic today, please contact us by clicking the link or calling 866-520-4358.

All of the requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard can be found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1030. The standard’s requirements state what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), as defined in the standard. That is, the standard protects workers who can reasonably be anticipated to come into contact with blood or OPIM as a result of doing their job duties or have received CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens training through their employer and would be expected to assist in case of an accident or emergency. This vaccination must be offered (not required) after the worker has received the required bloodborne pathogens training and within 10 days of initial assignment to a job with occupational exposure. All employees will be required to fill out a declination form accepting or refusing the vaccination. The Hepatitis B Vaccination is a 3 shot series provided on-site. ($94.95 per vaccination)

What is hepatitis?

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the ; the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. It results from infection with the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can be either “acute” or “chronic.”

Acute Hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis B virus. Acute infection can — but does not always — lead to chronic infection.

Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis B virus remains in a person’s body.

How common is acute Hepatitis B in the United States?

In 2007, there were an estimated 43,000 new Hepatitis B virus infections in the United States. However, the official number of reported Hepatitis B cases is much lower. Many people don’t know they are infected or may not have symptoms and therefore never seek the attention of medical or public health officials.

Has the number of people in the United States with acute Hepatitis B been decreasing?

Yes, rates of acute Hepatitis B in the United States have declined by approximately 82% since 1990. At that time, routine Hepatitis B vaccination of children was implemented and has dramatically decreased the rates of the disease in the United States, particularly among children.

How common is chronic Hepatitis B in the United States?

In the United States, an estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million persons have chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.

How is Hepatitis B spread?

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus during activities such as:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments

Can a person spread Hepatitis B and not know it?

Yes. Many people with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection do not know they are infected since they do not feel or look sick. However, they still can spread the virus to others and are at risk of serious health problems themselves.

Who is at risk for Hepatitis B?

Although anyone can get Hepatitis B, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:

Have sex with an infected person
Have multiple sex partners
Have a sexually transmitted disease
Are men who have sexual contact with other men
Inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
Live with a person who has chronic Hepatitis B
Are infants born to infected mothers
Are exposed to blood on the job
Are hemodialysis patients
Travel to countries with moderate to high rates of Hepatitis B

Can Hepatitis B be prevented?

Yes. The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is by getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period.

What is the Hepatitis B vaccine series?

The Hepatitis B vaccine series is a sequence of shots that stimulate a person’s natural immune system to protect against HBV. After the vaccine is given, the body makes antibodies that protect a person against the virus. An antibody is a substance found in the blood that is produced in response to a virus invading the body. These antibodies are then stored in the body and will fight off the infection if a person is exposed to the Hepatitis B virus in the future.

Who should get vaccinated against Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:

All infants, starting with the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth
All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated
People whose sex partners have Hepatitis B
Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship.
Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease
Men who have sexual contact with other men
People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
People who have close household contact with someone infected with the Hepatitis B virus
Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job
People with end-stage renal disease, including predialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients
Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of Hepatitis B
People with chronic liver disease
People with HIV infection
Anyone who wishes to be protected from Hepatitis B virus infection

In order to reach individuals at risk for Hepatitis B, vaccination is also recommended for anyone in or seeking treatment from the following:

Sexually transmitted disease treatment facilities
HIV testing and treatment facilities
Facilities providing drug-abuse treatment and prevention services
Healthcare settings targeting services to injection drug users
Healthcare settings targeting services to men who have sex with men
Chronic hemodialysis facilities and end-stage renal disease programs
Correctional facilities
Institutions and nonresidential day care facilities for developmentally disabled persons

When should a person get the Hepatitis B vaccine series?

Children and Adolescents

All children should get their first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the vaccine series by 6–18 months of age.
All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. "Catch-up" vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents who were never vaccinated or who did not get the entire vaccine series.

Adults:

Any adult who is at risk for Hepatitis B virus infection or who wants to be vaccinated should talk to a health professional about getting the vaccine series.

To schedule your on-site Hepatitis clinic today, please contact us by clicking the link or calling 866-520-4358.