Hepatitis A Outbreaks: Immunize to Prevent and Control

December 2017

needle syringe and two bottles of vaccine

Outbreaks of Hepatitis A disease continue in California, primarily affecting people who are homeless or using illicit drugs. 

The California Department of Public Health recommends providers offer Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) to all Californians for whom any of the following applies:

• are homeless or at risk of being homeless
• use illicit drugs
• have chronic liver disease (including infection with Hepatitis B or C)
• are men who have sex with men
• seek protection from Hepatitis A
• are children one to 18 years of age

In California jurisdictions with Hepatitis A outbreaks, immunization should also be offered to people who have frequent close contact with people who are homeless or using illicit drugs (e.g., those working in homeless shelters, jails, food pantries, drug rehabilitation programs and first responders).
 

L.A. Care Formulary Coverage of Hepatitis A Vaccine
 

VAQTA (Brand Name) | HEPATITIS A VACCINE INJ SUSP (Generic)

  • Indication: Hep A prophylaxis
  • MCLA*: Formulary
  • CMC*: Tier 2
  • PASC^: Medical benefit
  • LACC/LACCD^: Medical benefit
     

HAVRIX (Brand Name) | HEPATITIS A VACCINE INJ SUSP (Generic)

  • Indication: Hep A prophylaxis
  • MCLA*: Formulary
  • CMC*: Tier 2
  • PASC^: Medical benefit
  • LACC/LACCD^: Medical benefit
     

TWINRIX (Brand Name) | HEPATITIS A (INACT)-HEP B (RECOMB) VAC INJ (Generic)

  • Indication: Hep A/B prophylaxis
  • MCLA*: Formulary
  • CMC*: Tier 2, PA BvD
  • PASC^: Medical benefit
  • LACC/LACCD^: Medical benefit
     

*Pharmacy OR Medical benefit – vaccine is provided at the pharmacy OR prescriber’s office
^Medical benefit – vaccine is provided at the prescriber’s office

Hepatitis A vaccine given to Medi-Cal-eligible children younger than 19 years of age should be provided through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and not submitted as a Medi-Cal claim.

Please contact L.A. Care if you have questions about Hepatitis A vaccine coverage for your patients at 1-866-LA-CARE6 (1-866-522-2736).