The Virginia Adult Hepatitis B Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Virginia Department of Health’s Immunization Division, local health departments and community partners to identify adults at high risk for hepatitis B infection and to provide free hepatitis B vaccine to these individuals for the prevention of hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B Facts:
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a bloodborne pathogen that infects the liver and in some people causes long term or chronic infection.
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Approximately 1.25 million persons in the U.S. are infected with chronic hepatitis B. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma which together account for 3,000 to 5,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
- In recent years, adults (>18 years) have accounted for greater than 95% of new HBV infections.
- Among adults, a high proportion of cases (79%) occur among persons in identified risk groups, for example, those who have multiple sex partners.
- A safe, effective hepatitis B vaccine and a combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine are available.
- After three valid doses of hepatitis B vaccine, greater than 90% of healthy adults develop adequate antibody response to provide protection from infection.
Qualifying for the Vaccine:
- Through the Adult Hepatitis B Immunization Initiative, hepatitis B vaccine is available to those 19 years of age and older who are hepatitis B-susceptible and who meet one (or more) of the following conditions:
- Sexually active persons with multiple partners (more than one partner during the previous 6 months)
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Current or recent injection-drug users (IDU)
- Household and sexual contact(s) of hepatitis B infected persons
- Persons with HIV infections
- Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for an STD
- Persons with diabetes mellitus
- If you are a patient interested in the program, contact your local health department for clinic dates and times.
- If you are a patient being seen at an opiate treatment center (OTC), you may qualify. Contact your OTC for information.
- Patients meeting criteria are offered the first dose of the three-dose series as they present. Subsequent doses are given according to the recommended schedule.
Forms for Participating Sites
Contact Information
- If you are a patient interested in the program, contact your local health department.
- For more information on site enrollment in the program, you can contact Rebecca Early, MPH, CHES, Deputy Division Epidemiologist, Division of Immunization, Virginia Department of Health at (804) 864-8055.
Patient Education Materials
Resources
Vaccine Order Form
