AMSTERDAM, — Men who have sex with men and sex workers are now eligible for free and anonymous hepatitis B vaccinations at OneDayClinic in Amsterdam. The aforementioned groups were already eligible for free vaccinations at the Municipal Health Service (GGD).

Private clinic OneDayClinic is now one of the vaccination locations in Amsterdam that, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Service (GGD), is implementing the national hepatitis B vaccination program with the aim of reducing hepatitis B infections among high-risk groups. Since May 2015, OneDayClinic has been committed to making STI testing as accessible as possible and guaranteeing complete anonymity. This is a very important factor for various minorities. OneDayClinic wants to contribute to the collective reduction of the number of hepatitis B infections.

Why not free for heterosexuals?

Heterosexuals are not a target group for this national vaccination program. Hepatitis B is not widespread among the general population in the Netherlands, unlike in countries such as those in Africa and Asia, where transmission from mother to child is significant. In the Netherlands, hepatitis B is mainly found in certain risk groups, and the vaccination policy is therefore aimed at these groups. However, despite enormous efforts to reach the risk groups, hepatitis B still occurs, including among heterosexuals. Since August 2011, the hepatitis B vaccination has therefore been included in the National Immunization Program for children.

What is Hepatitis B and what are its consequences?

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Infection can occur through unsafe sex or blood-to-blood contact. Symptoms of hepatitis B can manifest at any time in the form of jaundice, nausea, and pain in the upper right abdomen. However, 70 percent of people who contract acute hepatitis B have no symptoms or such mild symptoms that the infectiongoes unnoticed. They are still contagious to others through sexual contact or blood-to-blood contact.

Every year, around 450-500 people in the Netherlands die from the effects of hepatitis B or C infection. (source: IVM) The number of deaths due to chronic hepatitis B is an underestimate of the actual number of deaths due to hepatitis B. This is because people with hepatitis B often die of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer and are therefore registered with one of those causes of death. In 2015, the Municipal Health Services (GGDs) in the Netherlands reported 105 cases of acute hepatitis B.

The number of acute hepatitis B infections is declining as a result of the vaccination program for high-risk groups. OneDayClinic wants to contribute to this.

OneDayClinic is the first private clinic specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, established by physician Amit Atwal. Test results are available within 24-48 hours or with a rapid test after 90 minutes, and the test is completely anonymous. The clinic is located in the heart of the city center above the OLVG on Spuistraat and at Waalstraat 43 in Amsterdam.