Rates remain less than half for gay and bisexual men.(immunization for hepatitis A and B)

2002 OCT 23 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Though immunization rates for hepatitis A and B among men who have sex with men continue to improve, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) President Christopher E. Harris, MD, said that the numbers are "just not good enough," and that in some cities, "the numbers are deeply troubling. We need to send the message that vaccines will prevent transmission. Save yourself the extreme discomfort of the illness, the lost work, the potentially dangerous complications, and possibly your life. Get vaccinated!"

Over the summer, GLMA surveyed 4152 men at more than two dozen Pride events around the country. Only 38% of respondents on a national basis reported receiving any doses of a vaccine against hepatitis A, and 42% said they'd been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Seattle had the highest rates of vaccination for both hepatitis A (58%) and hepatitis B (57%), while San Antonio had the lowest vaccination rates: 15% for hepatitis A and 17% for hepatitis B.

Other findings:

* Health care coverage among respondents is relatively good: 81% have health care coverage, 84% have a regular provider, and 59% say that their provider knows their sexual orientation.

* Respondents who have health coverage and a regular health care provider are more likely to be vaccinated, as are those who are "out" to their provider.

* Respondents who have a provider but who are not out to that provider are wary of asking their provider for vaccination.

* Many respondents seem not have to completed their vaccination series (two shots of vaccine against hepatitis A, three shots of vaccine against hepatitis B, or three shots of the combination vaccine) and may not be fully protected.