Hepatitis B Foundation President Dr. Chari Cohen is quoted in a powerful new story about hepatitis B in The New Yorker. You can read it here.

U.S. Universal Adult Vaccine and Screening Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults age 19-59 be universally vaccinated for hepatitis B, and that all adults 18 and older be screened at least once in their lifetime.      

  Universal Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendations  

   Universal Adult Hepatitis B Screening Recommendations 
  •  Adults aged 19–59 years  

  • Adults aged ≥60 years with risk factors for        hepatitis B  

  • Adults aged ≥60 years without known risk factors for hepatitis B may also receive the vaccine 

  • Hepatitis B screening at least once in a lifetime for adults aged ≥18 years   

  • During screening, test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) 

  Screening pregnant persons  

  • Hepatitis B screening for all pregnant persons during each pregnancy, preferably in the first trimester, regardless of vaccination status or history of testing 

  • Pregnant persons with a history of appropriately timed triple panel screening and without subsequent risk for exposure to HBV (i.e., no new HBV exposures since triple panel screening) only need HBsAg screening 

 Order hepatitis B vaccines:  

CD-10: Z23 - Encounter for immunization 

CPT Administrative Code: 90471 

CPT Product Codes (adult vaccine schedule):  

Heplisav-B, PreHevbrio, and Twinrix are only approved for adults 18 and older.

 Order the hepatitis B triple panel screening tests:  

  1. Quest Test Code for hepatitis B panel (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total): 39170 
  2. LabCorp Test code for Hepatitis B Panel (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, and IgM anti-Hbc (when indicated):144473 

 

 

 

 

For more information on the triple panel tests, click here

In the U.S., there are five vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults. For more information on these vaccines and their schedules, click here or visit immunize.org.  

Clinical Resources for Implementing Universal Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination and Screening  

Guidance on the Clinical Implementation of Adult Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination and Screening -   
  • This document is intended to aid clinicians in implementing the new adult hepatitis B recommendations. It contains a summary of the updated recommendations, strategies for implementation in different settings, downloadable resources and handouts for providers, and connections to helpful patient and clinical resources.  
Call to Action: Eliminating Hepatitis B Virus Through Universal Screening and Vaccination for Adults Ages 19-59  
  • The Foundation’s Hepatitis B Screening & Vaccine Advisory Council has developed guidance on how healthcare providers in various settings can begin implementing universal hepatitis B screening and vaccination.  
Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Information for Providers Handout -  
  • This handout contains information on who should be vaccinated for hepatitis B, billing and insurance codes, and a provider FAQ.  

Resources for Public Awareness and Community Events  

For more information on the clinical implementation of universal adult hepatitis B vaccination and screening, use the following resources:   

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