A new toolkit from NCDHHS offers a variety of resources to support healthcare providers with giving vaccines. The information and tools address the challenges involved in providing vaccines, including conversation guides, communication tools, and population-specific guidance.
The answer is The Hepatitis Virus.
Hepatitis is also the leading cause of liver cancer!
World Hepatitis Day is July 28th
What is Hepatitis?
An inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are five main hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E). These are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause, and the potential for outbreaks and spread.
Different Types of Hepatitis:
A: Primarily spread when an unvaccinated person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Does not usually cause chronic liver disease. Closely associated with unsafe water or food, inadequate sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and oral/anal sex. An effective vaccine is available.
B: Spread when an unvaccinated person is exposed to infected blood or body fluids from an infected person, including from infected mother to child at birth. A safe and effective vaccine offers 98-100% protection. Potentially life-threatening liver infection and a major global health problem. Puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
C: As a bloodborne virus, Hepatitis C is most commonly spread through sharing needles when injecting drugs, and through sexual contact. If appropriate practices are not followed, it can also be spread via inadequate sterilization of medical equipment in healthcare settings or transfusion of unscreened blood / blood products. There is no effective vaccine against hepatitis C.
D: Infection with this strain cannot occur in the absence of hepatitis B. This co-infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to faster progression to cancer and liver-related death. Vaccination against Hepatitis B is the only way to prevent hepatitis D infection.
E: Most commonly found in countries with limited access to essential water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. (Some outbreaks have occurred in war zones and camps for refugees or internally displaced populations.) This virus is shed in the stools of infected persons and enters the human body through the intestine. A vaccine to prevent this strain is licensed in China but is not yet available elsewhere.
Did you know.......
Medicare covers Hepatitis B Screening, Hepatitis B immunization and administration, and Hepatitis C Screening ? (It also covers HIV Screening, and since HIV is also a blood-borne virus often associated with hepatitis viruses, can be transmitted through sexual contact, (seniors ARE sexually active), it is important to offer this as well.)
Sources:
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It is crucial for healthcare providers to be well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively discuss immunization with patients and caretakers who might harbor doubts or feel hesitant about vaccines. This involves understanding the underlying reasons for their hesitancy, which can range from misinformation and fear of side effects to cultural beliefs and past experiences. By being empathetic and informed, healthcare providers can build trust and provide clear, evidence-based information that addresses specific concerns, ultimately helping to alleviate fears and encourage informed decision-making regarding vaccinations.
A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains the possible causes behind vaccine hesitancy and suggests ways to address different types of concerns.
The AAP also provides a variety of communication aids and guides to encourage conversations about vaccines.
To learn more, check out the ADL's March 15 Highlighted Resources:
Once again, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant is likely to be the gift many did not want to receive from attending holiday gathering!
You may recall in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was frequent breaking news about each latest variant of the virus (remember Delta and Omicron?). Now that the worldwide public health emergencies have expired, detecting, monitoring, and responding to new variants has become more challenging.
On Tuesday, September 12, the CDC recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive either of the following updated COVID-19 vaccinations:
National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages.
You know how challenging it has been to ensure your patients have been kept up to date on their vaccines. As we all prepare for school to start, and the approach of flu season, take advantage of resources from CDC and others to help get everyone up to date!
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) is implementing three new diagnosis codes into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status, effective April 1, 2022.
