TOPIC:

My package of generic harvoni has been at Heathrow Inter'L since 12/29/15 waiting for customs paperwork approval is my guess.
My GI doctor(USA) would not give me a Rx unless used for original harvoni. He did, however, recommend that I get the Hep A
and Hep B vaccination series of shots before starting harvoni. He believes I will probably start Tx at his office.

My question is: I have one more series of Hep A and B shots left to be administered in March. If and when my generics arrive,
do I need to finish the Hep A/B shots first. Do I need them at all?

Finally, my contact used Royal Mail Inter'l from a suggestion on this site to send my meds. He filled out the appropriate
paperwork per the employee instructions which did not say anything about a Rx....hopefully a knowledgeable employee.
I'm getting a little worried now. Does anyone know if Heathrow customs will look for a Rx from my doctor? Thx, you guys
are great.

My consultant advised me to get Hep A and vaccinations, but I already started treatment, so will have to arrange after that. I don't know how long after the tx I need to arrange this. Is it 6 month?

My first hospital told me to get Hep A/B and even phoned my GP surgery to make sure I did. They told me to get a combined jab, but I had some vaccinations years ago & wanted to check first. I always look into these things as 'one size doesn't fit all'and not keen on multi-jabs.

Moved hospitals & 2nd hospital did HepB as routine and I was immune.
Keep meaning to get round to the single HepA one, but haven't felt up to it. Will wait until I've finished treatment now.

The good doctor needs to weigh in here it seems. I had to get my immunizations before my GI would allow me to start tx. I don't know if it was a health issue or an insurance requirement.
M

Well .... I had the first of a three shot Hep A/B vaccine back in 2005 I think ... then travel plans changed and I forgot about finishing the series.

My blood tests in August included A/B antibody tests and I showed no immunity so on my next visit on September 14 they gave me my first dose of a new three shot treatment. The doctor knew I was headed off to find my generics and that I wouldn't be back for a while and he said it was fine.

But I was gone longer than planned. Started my generics on October 18, got my next blood tests on December 1 and saw the doctor on December 16 and was given my second shot in the series ... doctor was unconcerned about the time lapse. Will be getting my EOT blood drawn on the 11th and see the doctor again on the 18th and will get the final A/B shot at that time.

Hepatitis A is a faecal oral disease ie you get it from eating someone else's sh*t. Immunity wears off over time. When you are overseas drinking bottled water this is one of the diseases you are trying to avoid.

Hep B is spread by body fluid contact - blood or sex. Immunity fades and we used to boost but this has been shown to be unnecessary.

Hep A and B are typical travel vaccinations.

So most of the vaccination recommendation would be travel related.

Hep C treatment can re-activate Hep B in some rare cases. I don't know that booster vaccination would help given you don't need a booster to defend yourself.....

Why or how Hep C treatment can re-activate Hep B in some rare cases?

I was vaccinated for HepB many years ago for travel. the amount that showed up in my blood, was the exact amount that a vaccination shows. (Will look up but think around 450 mark) - also showed up years later when I was pregnant. Pity they don't test pregnant women for HepC as routine now - They should. It was long lasting for me anyway and I certainly wouldn't have another dose unless that immunity goes. My feeling is, It may be worth checking immunity before getting another dose pre travel in the future.

(edit) HepC nurse at 1st hospital said re vaccination 'the last thing you need is another hepatitis' - hence protocol, but fail to test to see if you're immune first.

Lloyd Wright reckons that vaccinations including a, b and flu shots increase your viral load by millions ?

I certainly wouldn't want to have them while on treatment !

A couple of years ago I got a Hep A vaccine. I believe that is imperative. It is so easy to contract and is fairly prevalent. But Hep B? I would think you would only need that if you were planning on engaging in some type of risky behavior. No?

"About a third of the world population has been infected at one point in their lives, including 240 million to 350 million who have chronic infections.[1][8] Over 750,000 people die of hepatitis B each year.[1] About 300,000 of these are due to liver cancer.[9] "

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B

While the risk is far lower in most modern first world countries, IMHO anyone with Hep C should still make considered, educated decisions regarding vaccinating for Hep A and B, and also Flu, in consultation with a suitably qualified medical professional. I would not include those wanting to sell you natural remedies in that decision process unless advised to by the medical professional you are consulting.

Hello Everybody,

So glad to find this thread .

I am thinking to have the vaccination for hep A and B in order to reduce the possible future risks (I am thinking that hep B can be taken without knowing from where, as it happened to me with hep C...).

Is there any known recommendation at which time after the DAA treatment these vaccines can be taken?

Cheers,
RHF

I'm no doctor, but I have heard vaccinations for A & B can be deadly if not all HVC is out of your system.
I'd check first forsure.
Thx

I really have little idea how/when I contracted HCV which I now do not have thank you FHC.
I was vaccinated for HepB because it was free in my professional area to have the shots.
I show a vaccination marker in my blood.
I don't know if I had HCV or not when I was vaccinated!!
A