TRAVAX hepatitis B recommendations updated

The Health Protection Scotland (HPS) Travel and International Health team have revised the hepatitis B recommendations for medical staff on all TRAVAX individual country pages. 

The hepatitis B virus is found worldwide therefore every country featured on TRAVAX has a hepatitis B recommendation. In addition, there is an indication on each county page as to the estimated risk category based on estimated prevalence for hepatitis B.  High risk is determined as 8% or greater, intermediate risk is between 2–7%, while low risk is less than 2%.

The types of traveller that should be considered for hepatitis B vaccination are: 

• frequent travellers 
• long stay travellers 
• those more likely to be exposed, such as children from cuts and scratches 
• those more at risk of injury and accidents, such as climbers, backpackers, adventure travellers etc 
• individuals with underlying conditions who may need surgical procedures abroad 
• those travelling for medical procedures abroad 
• those at occupational risk, such as healthcare workers

More information on hepatitis can be found on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.