Can Pharmacists Help Michigan Stop Hep A Outbreak?

Pharmacists integral to reducing hepatitis A and opioid outbreaks
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(Precision Vaccinations News)

To help combat Michigan’s ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recruiting pharmacists to reach those in need of vaccinations, according to reporting by Michigan Radio.

During late February, MDHHS sent a letter to pharmacies confirming certain preventative services are covered under Michigan Medicaid, including prevention counseling and vaccinations.

Lynn Sutfin, with MDHHS, said “Pharmacists can be especially helpful when it comes to encouraging high-risk groups to get vaccinated.”

"Pharmacies are plentiful, on almost every corner. They have a lot more opportunities to reach these high-risk groups to get their vaccine," Sutfin said.

Michigan’s health leaders successfully integrated pharmacists in the current opioid epidemic. According to the MDHSS, 54% of the state's pharmacies have registered to dispense the potentially life-saving medication naloxone under an authorization called ‘a standing order.’

As of February 20, 2018, there have been 760 cases to date, with 615 hospitalizations (80.9%) and 25 deaths (3.3%), since the Hep A outbreak started in August 2016.

Of the reported Hep A cases, 14.3 percent have been identified with men who have sex with men (MSM), which is a group at high risk of contracting hepatitis. Since 1996, the Hepatitis A vaccination has been recommended for MSM.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, no common sources of food, beverages, or drugs have been identified as a potential source of infection. Hep A transmission appears to be through direct person-to-person spread and illicit drug use, said the MDHSS.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, that usually resolve within 2 months of infection, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Making it convenient for this high-risk group to get vaccinated is another proactive effort by the state and our local partners to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease,” said Dr. Eden Wells, the chief medical executive with MDHHS.

“We appreciate the willingness of these venues to provide their locations to conduct vaccination clinics and help stop the spread of hepatitis A,” said Dr. Wells.

For people who do have contact with a person with Hepatitis A virus, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended by the CDC for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the previous 2 weeks.

The hepatitis A vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in protecting someone who may be exposed to the disease.

In the USA, there are three FDA approved hepatitis A vaccines:

  • Vaqta and Havrix are approved for people ≥12 months of age in a 2-dose series
  • A combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B Twinrix vaccine is approved for people ≥18 years of age in the United States.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides current HAV vaccine contract prices and general information. Hep A vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.

 

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