Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B shortage in UK
There is currently a shortage of Hepatitis B vaccine in the United Kingdom and across the world. At present, some vaccines are not available or may be reserved for special at-risk groups.
Because of this shortage, Public Health England have issued new temporary clinical guidelines to healthcare staff across the UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hepatitis-b-vaccine-recommend...
The guidance aims to preserve the small amounts of Hepatitis B vaccine stocks left, by using doses sparingly for those who are at highest risk.
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) provides Hepatitis B immunisation recommendations for travellers. Risk for travellers is low although certain behaviours or activities put individuals at higher risk, particularly when these occur in areas where hepatitis B is more common. These behaviours and activities include:
• unprotected sex
• exposure to blood or blood products through occupation, such as healthcare work
• exposure to contaminated needles through injecting drug use, or as a result of accessing medical or dental care
• long stay travel
Because of this new temporary guidance, Hepatitis B vaccination may not be recommended for many travellers visiting a number of countries.
When you visit our clinics, the nurse/doctor will carry out a travel risk assessment with you and go through all the vaccines that are recommended for your trip, including whether Hepatitis B is recommended.
We cannot offer this service over the telephone or by email.
A £20 appointment fee per person is charged if no vaccines/malaria tablets are bought on the day. This fee is waived if vaccines/malaria tablets are bought on the day.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver transmitted by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. The risk of contracting hepatitis B infection for most travellers is low. All travellers should also be reminded to avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids by:
• avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse
• using appropriate protective precautions where contact is unavoidable e.g. due to occupation
• avoiding tattooing, piercing and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used)
• not sharing needles or other injection equipment
• not sharing shaving equipment
Further information on Hepatitis B can be found here: