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Men who have sex with men and sex workers are at higher risk of hepatitis B. If you fall into one of these groups, protect yourself with a free vaccination. You can get it at GGD Amsterdam.
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Starting June 2, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and male sex workers can receive a free combination vaccine that protects against both hepatitis B and hepatitis A
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Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver that can make you seriously ill
It is caused by the hepatitis B virus. You can get this virus through unprotected sex (without a condom) or through blood contact. Hepatitis B is highly contagious. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the disease to others.
Who is eligible for the free vaccination?
As part of a national vaccination campaign, people who are at higher risk of hepatitis B through sexual contact can get vaccinated for free. This includes:
- Men who have sex with men
- Sex workers
- Transgender individuals
Make an appointment or drop by
The vaccine is safe and effective. It has few side effects and does not cause serious symptoms or illness.
The vaccination against hepatitis B and the combination vaccine for hepatitis A/B consist of 3 doses. After the 3rd dose, you are protected for life.
- 1st appointment: 1st shot + blood test
- 2nd appointment: 2nd shot (1 month after the 1st shot)
- 3rd appointment: 3rd shot (at least 5 months after the 2nd shot)
How do you know if you have hepatitis B?
In most cases, you notice little or nothing. Only one in three people experiences symptoms, such as fatigue, lack of energy, and nausea. But even without symptoms, you can carry the virus—sometimes for years. During that time, you can still infect others.
The virus can also become active later and cause inflammation of the liver. This can lead to decreased liver function and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Blood test
A blood test can show whether you have (or have had) hepatitis B. That’s why we take a blood sample during the first appointment.
- Have you never had hepatitis B? Continue with your 2nd and 3rd shots.
- Have you had hepatitis B before? Then you're already protected. No further vaccination is needed.
- Do you have a chronic hepatitis B infection? Vaccination won’t help. In this case, we’ll ask you to come in. We’ll give you advice on how to avoid infecting others and refer you to a specialist.
Side effects of the vaccination
The vaccine is safe and effective, with few side effects. Sometimes, there may be some pain, redness, or stiffness at the injection site. These side effects are normal. The vaccine does not cause serious complaints or illnesses. If you do experience severe complaints after the injection, contact your general practitioner. Also, let us know when you come for your next vaccination.
If you are not fully protected after 3 injections
After 3 injections, most people are protected against hepatitis B for life. They can no longer contract the disease and therefore cannot transmit it.
Some people are not fully protected after 3 injections. This mainly includes people with HIV or hepatitis C and those over 40 years old.
To ensure you are protected, you can have your blood tested 4 to 8 weeks after your 3rd injection. This can be done through your general practitioner, your HIV specialist, or at the Travel Advice and Vaccination Office of GGD Amsterdam (make an appointment online). This blood test is not free but is sometimes reimbursed by health insurance. If it turns out that you are not sufficiently protected against hepatitis B, you are eligible for free additional injections.
If you have HIV
It is known that the hepatitis B vaccination is less effective in people with HIV. Therefore, people with HIV are advised to receive a double dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. These injections are also free of charge.
Protect yourself against hepatitis A as well
Men who have sex with men, transgender people, and male sex workers are also at risk of hepatitis A. This is another form of hepatitis that can be contracted through oro-anal contact (rimming). Most people recover from hepatitis A, but it can make you seriously ill for several months. With the free combination vaccine, you protect yourself against both hepatitis A and B.
Are you already protected against hepatitis B?
Two injections against hepatitis A provide lifelong protection. The first injection offers immediate protection for at least one year. The second injection should be taken 6-12 months after the first. The vaccination costs €90 in total, €45 per injection.
We handle your privacy carefully
Your data is treated confidentially and registered in the national registration system of the hepatitis B vaccination program. This system is only accessible to GGD staff involved in the vaccination program and HIV consultants from hospitals participating in this program.
The vaccination data is also used for research and monitoring of the vaccination program. For this purpose, the data is anonymized. Your personal information is not known to the researcher.
If you object to this, you can let us know. Would you like more information about privacy? Read the GGD's privacy statement