viral hepatitis

  • November 21, 2016

Viral Hepatitis Immunization for Children


Viral hepatitis immunization

Today we share information about immunizations for children, especially viral hepatitis immunization. We are grateful to Carrington College for developing the infographic about immunizations for children.

 

 

A deadly infection of the liver, hepatitis can eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other dangerous conditions. Viral hepatitis Immunization is available for some types of hepatitis, but not for all.

Hepatitis A

Typically spread by close personal contact, hepatitis A does not result in chronic infection. However, its symptoms can be quite severe, so early vaccination is important. As laid out below in the child immunization guide created by Carrington College, children between 12 and 23 months old receive multiple doses of the vaccine, with doses separated by at least 6 months.

Hepatitis B

The symptoms for hepatitis B are virtually identical to those associated with hepatitis A. Unfortunately, hepatitis B can also lead to chronic suffering. According to the recommended childhood vaccination schedule, the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is typically administered within 24 hours of a child’s birth. Further doses will be giver over the next 18 months.

Hepatitis C

There is currently no vaccine available for hepatitis C, although researchers are working hard to change that – possibly in conjunction with an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Full prevention is not possible without a vaccine, but experts at WebMD advise that those worried about contracting the disease avoid direct exposure to blood, practice safe sex, and not share needles with others.

Prevention is important for all types of diseases, especially for infections like hepatitis that can cause years of discomfort. Children and young adults can secure adequate protection through immunization. While injection safety is a concern as hepatitis shots can spread bloodborne diseases, the recent adoption of smart syringes (with features that prevent re-use) promises to reduce the risk of vaccine-related infection.

viral hepatitis immunization

 

Think NoHep this World Hepatitis Day

World-Hepatitis-Day-2014

Today is World Hepatitis Day and this year’s theme is “Elimination.” The World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopted the first ever Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis that calls for “rigorous application of universal precautions for all invasive medical interventions and promotion of injection safety measures…”

World Hepatitis Day is a great way to raise awareness about injection safety. Here are six ways you and your organization can get involved!

1. Read and share Dr. John Ward’s blog, “Think NoHep this World Hepatitis Day.”

2. Check out CDC.gov’s World Hepatitis Day Feature.

3. Connect with the One & Only Campaign and the World Hepatitis Alliance on Facebook and Twitter using the official hashtags #NOhep and #WorldHepDay.

4. Join the #NOHep Thunderclap to amplify the message on social media.

5. Pledge your support for the World Hepatitis Day campaign by sharing your organizations logo on the World Hepatitis Day webpage.

 

HONOReform applauds the ongoing work of the Viral Hepatitis Implementation Group

Viral Hepatitis Implementation Group met recently in Washington, DC
Viral Hepatitis Implementation Group met recently in Washington, DC

Kudos to our colleagues, including leadership of National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), for dedicated work on advancing the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. An update from the recent meeting is included below.

On Tuesday, 10/14/14, the cross-government working group supporting and monitoring the implementation of the updated Viral Hepatitis Action Plan—the Viral Hepatitis Implementation Group or “VHIG”—met in Washington, DC to share updates on 2014 accomplishments and plans for the coming year. Some of the highlights included:
• Promising preliminary data from HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care showing a significant increase in the number of hepatitis C tests conducted in health centers across the U.S. in 2013 and similar promising increases in HCV testing numbers from the Indian Health Service (IHS). Read more