Health unit vacinates students for Hepatitus B

News Release NWHU Since the fall of 1994 Ontario has implemented a Hepatitis B vaccination program. Thanks to the cooperation of parents, teachers and Grade 7 students, the Northwestern Health Unit has successfully immunized over 80% of the Grade 7 population in the Kenora-Rainy River District. Dr. Pete Sarsfield states, “Although participation in the Hepatitis B vaccine program is voluntary, the Northwestern Health Unit recommends that all eligible students receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.” Hepatitis B is one of several viral infections that can affect the liver. Although this disease is sometimes very mild and produces no symptoms, it can also be very serious. The Hepatitis B virus can damage the liver permanently. It is estimated that this virus causes about 80% of all liver cancers. Hepatitis B is spread by contact with body fluids - blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva. The symptoms of this disease may include nausea, fever, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, enlarged liver and jaundice. Yet at least half of the people infected have no symptoms, and up to 10% of people who contract this disease may feel healthy, but are able to pass the virus on to other people. There is no cure for hepatitis but the Hepatitis B vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing infection. It is one of the safest vaccines and has been used in Canada for more than 15 years. The 2007-2008 Hepatitis B immunization campaign will again target Grade 7 students. Public Health Nurses will give students two injections over a six-month period beginning in October 2007. The two-dose schedule, using the product Recombivax HB® licensed for adolescents 11 to 15 years of age, is used for the program. Using this product, students will only require two injections as opposed to three injections that were given in previous years. Parents, students, and the general public who have questions may contact the local Northwestern Health Unit office or visit www.nwhu.on.ca