People infected with hepatitis C may need to get the hepatitis B vaccine.

MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) — People with hepatitis C should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis B again because their immune response to the first vaccine may not be adequate, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School urge hepatitis C patients to get tested for immune protection against hepatitis B. If not present, vaccination should be given again after treatment for hepatitis C. Previous research has shown that people infected with hepatitis C have a lower response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. “This research has broad public health implications for people with hepatitis infection,” said Dr. José Debes, associate professor in the School of Medicine and Public Health. University press releases. “It is known that the hepatitis B vaccine is not as effective in people with hepatitis C. What was not known until now is that after treatment for hepatitis C, the hepatitis B vaccine appears to be more effective in this population. This is important because many of these people still face Risk of Hepatitis B Infection. “A blood-borne virus causes hepatitis C, which causes inflammation of the liver. Approximately 58 million people worldwide suffer from this disease, with 1.5 million new infections every year. There is no effective vaccine for hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is preventable with the HBV vaccine. Studying the Impact of the Hepatitis B Vaccine Targeting these hepatitis C patients, the researchers studied 34 patients who had previously failed to respond to the hepatitis B vaccine. They were tested for hepatitis B antibodies. The study found that this group had an improved response to hepatitis B revaccination after receiving treatment for hepatitis C. Having both hepatitis B and C increases your risk of serious problems such as cirrhosis or cancer. Both infections are common in some areas and carry risks. The authors said more studies in larger groups are needed to assess the optimal timing of revaccination and to further understand the immune pathways involved. The findings were recently published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. More information The World Health Organization provides more information about hepatitis. Source: University of Minnesota Medical School, press release, September 7, 2023. Source: University of Minnesota Medical School, press release, September 7, 2023. July 2023