The active vaccination for Hepatitis A is safe and effective. The new double strength vaccine is given at 0 and 6-12 months. It provides protection for 12 months after the first dose, and following the second dose immunity is conferred for at least 10 years. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is endemic in Africa, parts of South America, Asia, some Pacific Islands and in the Middle East. This virus is passed on via contact with body fluids and blood, like HIV, but is easier to catch.
Some infected individuals become carriers and develop serious long term complications.
The virus may be caught from intravenous drug needle sharing with an infected person, body piercing and intravenous treatment in unsterile conditions, sexually, and via contaminated dental instruments. Vaccination recommendations are broad and include health care workers, emergency workers, homosexual and bisexual men, all travellers wishing to spend more than six months in an endemic area, frequent travellers, children in day-care in endemic areas, travellers who may need medical or dental care in a developing country, and contact sports players. This vaccination is safe and effective. The advantage is 3 injections instead of 5. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is a serious illness spread via the blood and other body fluids, notable amongst intravenous drug users.