CDC recommends some people get hepatitis B vaccine

(WSYR-TV) — Hepatitis B is highly contagious, has no cure and can be fatal. There is currently no known cure, but there are treatments available and vaccines that can protect you.

Pharmacist Bonnie Hui-Callahan is spreading the word about some important new recommendations from the CDC.

Beginning in 1991, hepatitis B became the standard of care with vaccination as part of the routine childhood vaccination series. That’s why, if you were born before 1991, you may not have been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. For most people, hepatitis B goes away on its own. Approximately 40% of people with chronic hepatitis B virus may develop liver cancer, cirrhosis, or other liver complications. There’s no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won’t.

An estimated 2.5 million Americans have chronic hepatitis B infection. About 80% of people don’t know they are infected, which increases their risk of unknowingly spreading the virus to others. In fact, new infections are highest in the 30 to 59 age group.

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. That’s why the CDC recommends that adults ages 19 to 59 who have not been vaccinated before stay up to date on hepatitis B vaccination.

Please visit dynavax.com for more information about the vaccine.