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The Hepatitis B Screen Programme ('Hep B Free')

HEPATITIS B
If an adult gets hepatitis B, they usually get better and get rid of the virus. If someone can't get rid of the virus, they become a hepatitis B "carrier" and are at high risk of serious liver disease. Most hepatitis B carriers became infected as babies or young children. This has nothing to do with bad hygiene. Carriers can spread the disease to other people they live with.

FREE IMMUNISATON

What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease that can infect the liver and cause serious illness in some people.

Can it be prevented?
Yes! Hepatitis B can be prevented by having hepatitis B immunisations. Since 1987 most children in New Zealand have had hepatitis B immunisations during their first years of life to protect them against ever getting sick with hepatitis B. Most older people have not had hepatitis B immunisations.

Why should I have free Hepatitis B immunisation?
Your hepatitis B blood test shows that you are not protected. You are at risk of getting infected if you have contact with the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B immunisation if now free for a limited time to to Maori, Pacific and Asian people between 15 and 40 years of age who have had a blood test showing that they are not protected against hepatitis B.

How well does it work?
Almost 100% of people who have the immunisation (three vaccinations - one each month for three months) are fully protected from ever getting hepatitis B.

What is involved?
Hepatitis B immunisation is given into your upper arm into the muscle over the shoulder area. It stings a little bit. Three vaccinations are needed to make sure you are well protected for many years to come. Your doctor or nurse will contact you to remind you when to come in for your next vaccination until all three have been given.

How safe is it?
Hepatitis B immunisation is very safe (this vaccination has been given to children in New Zealand for many years). Most people find that the area where the vaccination was given is tender and sometimes red for a day or two. Sometimes people feel a little nauseated and tired for a couple of days afterwards. These reactions show that the immunisation is working to strengthen the body's defences against hepatitis B. Serious reactions are very uncommon.

Who can give it?
Like many other immunisations, hepatitis B vaccinations are given by your nurses or doctors.

THE SCREENING PROGRAMME

After completing a consent form, blood will be taken from your arm. Your blood is then sent to the hospital for testing. You should be told the blood test results within 10 days of the test. If we find you are at risk of getting hepatitis B, you will be offered three free vaccinations, which will protect you from the virus. If we find you are already protected from hepatitis B, by vaccination or previous infection, you will be told there is no need to worry as you are probably safe from the virus for the rest of your life.

If we find that you are a hepatitis B carrier (about one in 20 Maori, Pacific and Asian people will be in this group), we will ask you to join a free support programme. We will provide you and your family with advice and information about hepatitis B. We will also arrange regular tests to check you are okay. If you start to get sick, you will be sent to a specialist doctor for treatment, if required. Your results and records are confidential. The programme is completely free. Please ask if you want more information.

HEPATITIS B PROGRAMME DETAILS

Hepatitis B is a serious infection that can make people very ill and even die before their time. a simple free blood test can show if you have had hepatitis B infection in the past, or if you are a carrier (have long-term infection) of the hepatitis B virus (germ).

What is the Hep B Free Programme?
It is a special programme running for two years

• to identify as many people as possible in the highest risk groups in New Zealand who may be hepatitis B carriers.
• to offer them free testing each year to pick up complications early before serious illness results.
• to vaccinate for free as many people as possible who are not immune to hepatitis B because they have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B or have not been previously infected by it.

Who can have a free hepatitis B test?

• All Maori, Pacific Islands and Asian people aged 15 years and over who don't know if they have had, or still might have, hepatitis B infection.
• People of any age or ethnic group who live in the same house, are relatives of sexual partners of a person who is found by the programme, or know through previous testing, to be a hepatitis B carrier.
• All hepatitis B carriers.

Why should I have a hepatitis B test?

• It can tell you if you are already protected from hepatitis B or not.
• It can tell youif you are a carrier.
• If it shows that you are a carrier you can take steps to look after your liver, prevent passing the hepatitis B germ to your family and friends, and get treatment early before serious damage occurs.
• If the test shows that you are not protected and not a carrier, then you can have free immunisations to protect you from ever getting hepatitis B infection (if you are 40 years or under). These shots are normally only free for children.

How do I hear about my hepatitis B test results?

• The nurse of doctor who arranged for or took your blood sample will contact you to discuss the results within a few days of the test being taken.
• This may be done by letter, by a phone call or by inviting you to see the nurse or doctor in person.

When should I have the hepatitis B test?

• The sooner the better - free hepatitis B testing and follow-up is only available for a limited time.
• Ask your nurse or doctor about it now. It can be arranged after seeing the doctor or nurse for some other reason, or you can see them just about the free hepatitis B test.
• You should encourage your extended family members to have it as well.

Do I need to have another test after this one?

• Only if the test shows you are a carrier
• Your nurse or doctor will remind you when to have the next test. For most people who are hepatitis B carriers it will only be once every year, but some need to have their blood checked more often.

How do I know this information about me is being kept safely?

• All information collected through the Programme about you is stored under the rules of the Privacy Act 1993 and the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.
• Most of this information stays with your doctor and nurse, just as it does when you see them for other reasons.
• Only a small amount of information is sent elsewhere - to the laboratory that does the testing or to the Programme Monitoring Unit. When this happens, a code number, the National Health index (NHI) number, is used rather than your name to protect your confidentiality.
• The information is used to monitor how many people are participating in the various parts of the programme.
• A National Steering Committee has guardianship of the information to make sure the rules are kept and used only for the purposes for which it was collected.
• No personally identifiable information will be released to anyone other than people involved in making sure you receive the benefits of the Programme.

What happens to my blood after it's been tested?

• If your test shows that you weren't a hepatitis B carrier, the blood is destroyed by the laboratory immediately.
• If the test shows that you are a carrier, it is immediately re-tested to check on how well your liver is working and for any signs of early liver damage. The remaining blood is then destroyed, except for a tiny amount which is frozen. This small sample is held in a special freezer for two years, then destroyed. The sample is held so the original test can be checked, if necessary.
• No testing for any other disease for any reason will be done on this stored blood sample unles you specifically give your permission.

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