There is a vaccine available to prevent hepatitis B infection. The Immunisation against Infectious Disease: The Green Book -DOH 2013, states that HBV immunisation is recommended for the following individuals and groups:-
- All IDUs as a high priority (including those who inject intermittently)
- Those who are likely to “progress” to injecting, for example those who are currently smoking heroin and/or crack cocaine, and heavily
- Dependent amphetamine users
- Non-injecting drug users who are living with current injectors
- Sexual partners of injecting users
- Children of injectors
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Sex workers
- Those who change sexual partner frequently
- Close family contacts of a case or individuals with chronic HBV infection
- Families adopting children from countries with high or intermediate HBV prevalence
- Foster carers
- Individuals receiving regular blood or blood products and their carers
- Patients with chronic renal failure or chronic liver disease
- Individuals in residential accommodation for those with learning difficulties
- Travellers to areas of high or intermediate prevalence
- Individuals at occupational risk
Although there is no routine hepatitis B vaccination programme in the UK, there a number of services in Northern Ireland provide hepatitis B vaccination including prisons, GPs, Travel clinics, Substance Misuse Services and genito-urinary medicine clinics (GUMs).
Hepatitis B Vaccinations
Where to access the Hepatitis B Vaccine in Northern Ireland
GP
Travel Clinics