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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 you may experience some pain, redness, or stiffness at the injection site—these are normal reactions. The vaccine does not cause serious symptoms or illnesses. If you do experience severe symptoms after the shot, contact your GP. And please inform us when you come in for your next vaccination.