Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Prevention Program

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s Hepatitis B Prevention Program works to address the burden of disease from chronic hepatitis B on Santa Clara County residents. 

Hepatitis B is a liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis B virus.  There is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B can be spread in 3 ways:

1. Birth: Hepatitis B can be spread from a woman with chronic hepatitis B to her child at birth.
2. Blood: Hepatitis B can be spread through direct contact with contaminated blood, including shared needles and syringes.
3. Sex: Hepatitis B can be spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.

Testing For Hepatitis B

Studies have shown that while Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) represent 5% of the total U.S. population, they make up 50% of hepatitis B cases. Nearly 2 in 3 people living with chronic hepatitis B do not know they are infected. Testing for chronic hepatitis B plays an important role in the detection, classification, management and medical care for patients with hepatitis B.

Testing for Hepatitis B is recommended for: 

• People born in Asia, Africa, and other regions with moderate or high rates of Hepatitis B 
• Unvaccinated people whose parents are from regions with high rates of Hepatitis B 
• Anyone having sex with a person infected with Hepatitis B 
• People who live with someone with Hepatitis B 
• Men who have sexual encounters with other men 
• People who inject drugs 
• All pregnant women 
• People with HIV infection 
• People on hemodialysis 
• People who receive chemotherapy or other types of immunosuppressive therapy

Effective January 1, 2022, AB 789 requires all primary care providers to offer screening tests for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to adults receiving primary care, to the extent these services are covered under the patient's health insurance, consistent with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. 

Take a Risk Assessment

Most people with chronic hepatitis B infection appear healthy and do not exhibit any symptoms. You can take a short risk assessment to see if you are at risk for chronic hepatitis B infection. The only way to diagnose hepatitis B is by a blood test. 

If you do not have insurance, you can contact the following clinics to ask about free or low-cost screening:

Asian American Community Involvement (AACI) 2400 Moorpark Avenue, Suite 319 San Jose, CA 95128 Phone: (408) 975-2763​

Pacific Free Clinic 1835 Cunningham Avenue San Jose, CA 95122 Phone: (650)721-2786

North East Medical Services 1715 Lundy Avenue San Jose, CA 95131 Phone: (408) 573-9686

El Camino Hospital Registration is required. Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 988-3234

Vaccine Recommendations

Under the Affordable Care Act, hepatitis B screening and vaccination are covered without cost-sharing under most insurance plans. Ask your doctor about a hepatitis B test. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as a series of 3 shots over a period of 6 months. The entire series is needed for long-term protection. To learn more about the hepatitis B click here.

• Infants and Children
  • The vaccination schedule used for recommendations in the US includes vaccination with at least 3 doses of HBV vaccine starting at birth
  • If these doses are not administered when a child is a baby, they are recommended to follow a “catch up” schedule and get them through age 18

• Students in California
  • California law dictates that HBV vaccination is required for school entry into childcare and K-12 education
• Adults: The vaccine is recommended for people living with someone infected with Hepatitis B, travelers to certain countries, and healthcare and public safety workers exposed to blood. People with high-risk sexual behaviors, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people who have certain medical conditions, including diabetes, should talk to their doctor about getting vaccinated.
  • Adult Immunization Schedule

Treatment Resources

• Treatment Tool: Asian Liver Center Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment Decision Tool For Adults