HIV and hepatitis – vaccination

Research conducted in the US and Spain shows that more needs to be done to ensure that people at risk of hepatitis A or B are vaccinated against these infections. (see related article on AIDSMAP)

UK HIV treatment guidelines recommend that all people with HIV should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Hepatitis A can cause a short, unpleasant illness that can be more severe in people with other risk factors for liver disease.

Hepatitis B can turn into a long-term illness that causes serious health problems.

People with HIV have an increased risk of these infections, largely because they can be transmitted in the same way as HIV is - through unprotected sex or, in the case of hepatitis B, through injecting drug use.

Vaccinations are available against both infections. They can work well in people with HIV. However, booster doses may be needed. Therefore antibody levels should be monitored regularly as part of routine HIV care.

Researchers in the US found that 56% of people with sexual or drug use risk factors for hepatitis B had not been vaccinated against the infection.

Separate research conducted in Barcelona found that city-wide vaccination programmes were not preventing periodic outbreaks of hepatitis A among gay men. Approximately a quarter of people diagnosed with the infection were HIV positive. However, more targeted programmes, such as one offering vaccinations to users of gay saunas, were successful in reducing new hepatitis A infections.

In the UK, free hepatitis A and B vaccinations are available from HIV clinics, sexual health clinics, and GPs. See HIV Scotland's service finder for services near you.