Tag Archives: hepatitis b vaccine

Why it’s important for Asian Americans to get the Hepatitis B vaccine

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“1 in 10 Asian Americans is living with chronic Hepatitis B.” via http://www.asianliver.com/en/

“Hepatitis B vaccination is the best protection. The vaccine can be given safely to infants, children, and adults and is usually given as three doses over about 6 months. Other flexible schedules are available. Pregnant women can be given this vaccine as well. Hepatitis B vaccine is very safe, and side effects are rare. This vaccine is the first vaccine that prevents cancer; it prevents liver cancer caused by HBV infection.” via http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4190.pdf

Hepatitis B can be prevented through the Hepatitis B vaccine. via http://liver.stanford.edu/Education/faq.html

Why are Asian Americans at a higher risk for Hepatitis B?

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Since 1986, a hepatitis B vaccine has been available and should be given to newborns and children in the United States. The vaccine, however, is unavailable—or has only recently become available—in many parts of the world. You are at higher risk for hepatitis B if you or your mother was born in a region of the world where hepatitis B is common, meaning 2 percent or more of the population is chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus. In most Asian and Pacific Island nations, 8 to 16 percent of the population is chronically infected.

via NATIONAL DIGESTIVE DISEASES INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE (NDDIC)