Viral Hepatitis Vaccination in an Opioid Treatment Program: Hartford, Connecticut, 2002–2005

Login to view this tool online

Keywords / Description:

Hartford Dispensary, a private, not-for-profit behavioral health care organization specializing in opioid treatment program services, serves more than 4,200 clients per day in seven licensed facilities. In May 2002, the Dispensary began offering free combined hepatitis A and B vaccine for all eligible clients in two Hartford clinics. Initial eligibility criteria required a client to be hepatitis C antibody positive, hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) negative, not pregnant, and not have a contraindication due to a medical condition.

From May 2002 through April 2005, 5,419 doses of combined vaccine were given. Of the 2,072 clients who received a first dose, 92% (1,914) received the second dose and 69% (1,433) completed the series. Long treatment duration, frequent client visits, availability of medical staff, and counseling support contributed to high rates of combined vaccine series completion in the two programs. Opioid treatment programs appear to be good settings in which to provide hepatitis vaccination for high-risk adults.

Toolkit:

Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Toolkit

Keyword Area:

Immunization, Infectious Diseases

Jurisdiction:

Institutional Author:

Public Health Rep. 2007; 122(Suppl 2): 48–51.

Submitted:

07/27/2012

Modified:

07/31/2012

The NACCHO Toolbox is a repository of available resources to help local public health practitioners. Tools are produced by local, state, and federal agencies, as well as academic institutions and other stakeholders. The contents of this Toolbox are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official recommendations of NACCHO. NACCHO makes no express or implied warranty with respect to the contents and disclaims liability for any damages arising from or connected to the use of the material in this Toolbox.