Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A and B are highly contagious viruses both of which affect the liver.

Hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated food or water or by coming in contact with infected blood (through blood transfusions or needles).

Hepatitis B can be contracted through contact with body fluids or through bites, puncture wounds or cuts in the skin.

Please read our Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and combined Hepatitis A & B information sheets for more information.

Vaccination against Hepatitis A and B is the single, most effective means of prevention. A series of shots given over a six-month period will protect you, and help contribute to the elimination of this highly infectious virus. After the series is complete, you will be protected from these diseases for life, with no need for booster vaccinations.

What is offered at the clinic?

On top of the Hepatitis A and B vaccination itself, our program’s highly qualified mobile team of Registered Nurses will be there to educate you and your employees on the facts about these viruses, and answer all questions and concerns you or your employees may have.

Who is at risk?

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends vaccinations for:

Hepatitis A

• People who live or work in institutions such as corrections facilities and homes for the developmentally challenged.
• People who use street drugs.
• People whose sexual behaviour involves anal contact particularly between men.
• Household contacts of an acute case.
• Immigrants or children of new Canadians who return to their country of origin where there is a high incidence.
• Residents of rural or remote communities that lacking adequate sanitation or a secure supply of potable water.
• People who have chronic liver disease including people with hepatitis C or who are receiving hepatotoxic medications.
• People with hemophilia A or B receiving plasma-derived replacement clotting factors.
• Those who work with HAV-infected primates or those who work with HAV in research laboratories. Children or adolescents in communities where outbreaks of hepatitis A are occurring.
• Travelers to countries where Hepatitis A is endemic (including armed forces personnel and emergency relief workers).

For more information, please read our Hepatitis A fact sheet.

Hepatitis B

Universal immunization against hepatitis B virus is now part of the publicly funded vaccine programs offered in all provinces and territories. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the vaccinations for all Canadian children, health care workers (including students of health care programs) and those who wish to decrease occupational risk (e.g. emergency services workers and police).  In particular, the vaccinations are recommended for those at high risk including:

• Household and sexual contacts of those who are either carriers or acutely ill with Hepatitis B.
• Travelers (including military and emergency relief workers). International travelers should attend a pre-travel clinic.
• Those who have risky lifestyles (e.g. street drug use and unprotected sexual activities).
• Staff and inmates of correctional facilities and other populations and communities where Hepatitis B is common (e.g. work or live in homes for the developmentally challenged).
• Those who are on hemodialysis or are awaiting organ transplantation.
• Those receiving blood products including plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates (e.g. hemophiliacs).

For more information, please read our Hepatitis B fact sheet.

Who should receive the combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine?

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the vaccine for:

• Travelers (including armed forces personnel, emergency relief workers) to countries where Hepatitis A & B are present.  International travellers should attend a pre-travel clinic.
• People who use street drugs both oral and needle and men who have sex with men.
• Populations and communities where both Hepatitis A and B are always present.
• Those receiving blood products, plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates (e.g. hemophiliacs), who are awaiting transplantation, or who have chronic liver disease (including hepatitis due to Hepatitis C).
• People who have been fully immunized against Hepatitis A and B and require booster doses of both.
• Prisoners who have not received the Hepatitis B injection and who may also be exposed to Hepatitis A. 
• People  with clinically significant chronic liver disease including people with Hepatitis C

For more information, please read our Combined Hepatitis A and B Fact Sheet.

If you are interested in booking a flu clinic for your workplace, use our online flu booking form to schedule a preferred date and time, or contact us for more information.