MediClinic is a modern, private clinic in Guildford and Wimbledon offering the convenience and choice of same day appointments.  Our travel vaccination clinics are equipped to offer you expert advice in minimising health risks during and after your holiday or business trips to foreign parts of the globe.

HEPATITUS B VACCINE (Hep B)

• £40 per Vaccination
• 3 vaccinations recommended at 0, 28 days and 6 months.  Check immunity level within 5 years

What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus which causes liver cell destruction associated with a rise in liver enzymes and clinical hepatitis.  The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can range in severity from no symptoms to full hepatitis.

How Do I Get Infected?

Infection occurs through contact with infected blood and blood products.  Examples of routes of transmission include:

• Sexual intercourse with an infected partner,
  
• From an infected mother to her new born child,
• 'Blood to blood' contacts for example through injuries in playgrounds, contaminated instruments during medical, dental, acupuncture, other body piercing procedures, sharing used intra-venous needles and face or head shaving with razors

Vaccination is advised for those who may be exposed to blood or blood products through their occupation or life style such as health care workers and ambulance crews and those likely to take sexual risks or use intravenous drugs. 

Where Does Hepatitis B Occur?

Hepatitis B virus (Hep B) is highly endemic in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Regions and West Africa. It is common in South and Central America, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.  It is present but rare in most of Europe, Australia and North America although there are pockets of infection in these regions in certain groups such as Eskimo, Aboriginal and Maori populations. 

Symptoms and Signs of Hepatitis B

Infection can be asymptomatic with development of protective antibodies or progress to a carrier state. The acute illness is similar to hepatitis A but mildfever; joint pains and sometimes a transient rash may precede the jaundice. A cholestatic phase and a more prolonged, relapsing illness is common. An acute illness normally results in complete elimination of the virus within 6 months but occasionally a carrier state follows. The carrier state, if viral replication is present, can progress after a variable number of years to cirrhosis and sometimes hepatocellular carcinoma. 

How is Hep B Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on your symptoms and a blood test for a specific antibody. 

Treatment and Prophylaxis

The acute illness is treated symptomatically with a careful watch for early signs of liver failure.  Steroids help speed up the resolution of cholestatic jaundice but not the underlying liver inflammation.  Interferon combined with certain antiviral drugs may help the carrier state in a proportion of patients.

Which Vaccine does MediClinic offer?

ENGERIX B – Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKlineType: non-live virus antigen

Primary schedule: On days 0, 28 and again at 6 months

Which Blood Test does MediClinic routinely offer for Hepatitis B Immunity Testing?

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (anti-HBs): The presence of anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from HBV infection. Anti-HBs also develop in a person who has been successfully vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

SEE OUR VACCINATION PAGE FOR FURTHER VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AT MEDICLINIC 

Things to remember: 

• You should be well when you have your travel vaccines. If you are unsure or suffer with any symptoms suggesting illness, then please call us before your consultation.

• Travel Vaccination documents – if you have had previous travel vaccinations please bring the relevant documentation to your appointment, this will help us ensure you are fully protected during your travels.
• We recommend vaccines be given 1 week to 3 months prior to traveling depending on the vaccine. This will allow your body sufficient time to build the necessary antibodies to protect you.
• Cancellation of appointments must be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.

Which clinic should I visit?
If you are not sure where the closest clinic is to you please refer to the list below.  Note that we DO see patients from ANY areas. 

Guildford Clinic

Stoughton, Burpham, Arlington, Shalford, Chilworth, Compton, Woking, Aldershot, Farnham and surrounding areas

Wimbledon Clinic

Raynes Park, Morden, Worcester Park, Mitcham, Colliers Wood, Kingston Upon Thames, Southfields, Kew, Chiswick, East Sheen, Richmond, Roehampton, Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Clapham, Balham, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Barnes, and surrounding areas.

Call us today for your same day travel vaccination appointment