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Hepatitis Prevention in San Francisco

Stop hepatitis in San Francisco

StopHep in San Francisco: Get vaccinated. 


Protect yourself against hepatitis A & B!

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for both hepatitis A and B. That’s why the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and the CDC recommend vaccination against both of these serious diseases. In San Francisco MSM carry a disproportionate burden of disease for hepatitis A and hepatitis B - less than 16% have been vaccinated for hepatitis A, less than 20 % have been vaccinated for hepatitis B (Anonymous and Confidential HIV testing sites, 2001).

To address the low immunization rates for hepatitis A and B among men who have sex with men (MSM) and other high risk groups, the Health Department has launched a new prevention program, StopHep in San Francisco.

Go to StopHep.com for further information.

Hepatitis Vaccine Program 2002-2003:

The San Francisco Department of Public Health Hepatitis Vaccine Program provides hepatitis A and B vaccine to local public health centers and private, nonprofit organizations at no charge. In exchange the receiving organizations agree to administer the vaccine at minimal cost, to patients at accessible locations, and by order of risk priority.

Who should get the hepatitis shots?

Target populations for adult hepatitis A vaccine:

  • Men who have sex with men.
  • Users of injection and non-injection drugs
  • Persons who are HIV+, HCV+, chronically infected with hepatitis B, or have chronic liver disease.
  • Persons with clotting factor disorders.

Target populations for adult hepatitis B vaccine:

  • Men who have sex with men.
  • Users of injection drugs
  • Persons who are HIV+, HCV+, or have chronic liver disease.
  • Persons with a recently diagnosed STD
  • Persons with more than one sex partner in a 6-month period
  • Hemodialysis patients and patients with renal disease
  • Household contacts and sexual partners of acutely and chronically HBV infected persons.

If you are unsure of your risk status, ask your doctor or health care provider.

Vaccination is safe and effective. A full series of shots offers long term protection. If you started a course of vaccination but did not complete it, you can and should complete the series for maximum protection.

Where to get vaccinated?

The best place to be vaccinated is at your doctor's office because you can get the shots in the context of all of your health needs. Many health plans will pay for hepatitis A and B vaccines for adults at high-risk. To see if your insurance covers hepatitis A and B vaccination, try calling 1-888-VACCRIX (1-888-822-2749) or your insurance directly. If you do not have insurance, if your insurance does not cover vaccination, or if you do not want to go to your regular physician for your hepatitis vaccination, the following San Francisco organizations provide vaccination against hepatitis A and B, often at reduced price or a sliding scale. Please check directly with the clinic for up-to-date information.

Check out StopHep.com for places outside of San Francisco.

Please direct further questions you may have to our Hepatitis Information Line (415-554-2844) or email them to hepinfo.dph@sfdph.org. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/index.htm.