CDC Recommends Hepatitis B Vaccination For All Adults With Diabetes Younger Than 60 Years of Age
If you are an adult with diabetes, your condition puts you at higher risk of hepatitis B. That is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis B vaccination for adults with diabetes who are 59 or younger as soon as possible after their diagnosis.1 Fortunately, with only two trips to your local pharmacy, you can get protected against the hepatitis B virus in as little as one month.
Hepatitis B: What You Need to Know
Hepatitis B is a potentially fatal viral infection that is the leading cause of liver cancer in the U.S.2 Spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.3 There are approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. with chronic hepatitis B. Symptoms can stay dormant, or not show at all, for up to 30 years. Therefore, many people may be unaware of their infection and can unknowingly spread it to others. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there's no cure for the condition.
People with Diabetes at Higher Risk
People with diabetes are at two times the risk of contracting hepatitis B compared to those without the disease. If you have diabetes, you are four times more likely to get hepatitis B-related liver cancer. Glucose monitoring and injectable medications may lead to infection.4 Plus, diabetes can weaken the immune system. And, according to the CDC only 12% of adults with diabetes have been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B. In Los Angeles County, approximately one in ten adults has diabetes.5
Two-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Option
Recent innovation in hepatitis B vaccines has made it possible for adults to get protection in a shorter period of time. Until recently, hepatitis B vaccine options had been limited to three-doses (or shots) given over six months.6 As you can imagine, this can create challenges with people completing the series.7 A recent study from Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation's leading health care providers, found that only 26% of adults completed all three doses of the traditional hepatitis B vaccine.8 It's not enough to simply start the vaccine series. To be protected from hepatitis B, the full vaccine series must be completed for the majority of patients.
A two-dose (or two shot) hepatitis B vaccine option called HEPLISAV-B® [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] is available and can be completed in one month. HEPLISAV-B is approved for use in the U.S. for adults 18 and over. For more information and to find a nearby pharmacist who can help protect you against hepatitis B, click here.
Indication and Use
HEPLISAV-B is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not administer HEPLISAV-B to individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis B vaccine or to any component of HEPLISAV-B, including yeast.
Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of HEPLISAV-B.
Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to HEPLISAV-B.
Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. HEPLISAV-B may not prevent hepatitis B infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis B infection at the time of vaccine administration.
The most common patient-reported adverse reactions reported within 7 days of vaccination were injection site pain (23%-39%), fatigue (11%-17%), and headache (8%-17%).
For full Prescribing Information for HEPLISAV-B, click here.
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[1] Diabetes and Hepatitis B | CDC
[2] CDC. Vaccination Coverage Among Adults in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2016 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2016.html#hepB
[3] Walayat S, Ahmed Z, Martin D, Puli S, Cashman M, Dhillon S. Recent advances in vaccination of non-responders to standard dose hepatitis B virus vaccine. World J Hepatol. 2015;7(24):2503-2509.
[4] CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6701a1.htm?s_cid=rr6701a1w
[5] National Health Statistics Reports, Number 123, April 19, 2019 (cdc.gov)
[6] Mast EE, Weinbaum CM, Fiore AE, et al. A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) part II: immunization of adults. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-16):1-33.
[7] Williams WW, Lu P-J, O'Halloran, et al. Surveillance of vaccination coverage among adult populations - United States, 2015. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2017;66(11):1-28.
[8] Association of Number of Doses With Hepatitis B Vaccine Series Completion in US Adults. JAMA Network Open. Available at Association of Number of Doses With Hepatitis B Vaccine Series Completion in US Adults | Infectious Diseases | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network.
