People Infected With Hepatitis C May Need the Hepatitis B Shot

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with hepatitis C should consider being vaccinated again for hepatitis B, because their immune response to the initial shot may be inadequate, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School urge those who have hepatitis C to be checked for hepatitis B immune protection. If none is present, they should get the vaccine again after treating hepatitis C.

Previous research had shown that individuals with hepatitis C infection had a lower response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine.

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This study has broad implications for public health in hepatitis-infected individuals, Dr. Jose Debes, an associate professor in the schools of medicine and public health, said in a university news release. It is known that the hepatitis B vaccine is not as effective in those with hepatitis C. What was not known until now is that after treating hepatitis C the hepatitis B vaccine seems to be more effective in this population. This is important, as many of these individuals are still at risk for hepatitis B infection.