Recommended for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
As a result of a recent study that showed diabetic adults without hepatitis-B related risk behaviors are more than twice as likely to develop acute hepatitis B than those without diabetes, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all previously unvaccinated adults aged 19-59 with diabetes mellitus be vaccinated against hepatitis B as soon as possible after the diagnosis of diabetes is made. Patients with diabetes are more likely to die from acute hepatitis B and more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than those without diabetes. Additionally, patients with chronic hepatitis B are more likely to develop further health problems and die of complications and are a source of continuing hepatitis B virus transmission. Hepatitis B vaccination consists of three shots administered over a six-month period and is more effective when administered at a younger age.