Integrating viral hepatitis prevention into STD clinics in Illinois (excluding Chicago), 1999-2005

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all clients of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Hepatitis A vaccination and hepatitis C testing are recommended for STD clinic clients who report specific risks for those viruses. In 1999, the Illinois Department of Public Health began working with local health departments in Illinois (excluding Chicago) to introduce hepatitis B testing and vaccination in public STD clinics. Hepatitis A vaccination and hepatitis C counseling and testing were introduced in 2001. Illinois state funding has covered more than one-third of the costs of offering these integrated viral hepatitis services to STD clients. Hepatitis A and B vaccination and hepatitis C counseling and testing are now the standard of care in almost all (35 of 41) Illinois public STD clinics (excluding Chicago). In 2005, 29.4% of STD client visits included a hepatitis B vaccination. In public STD clinics in Illinois, hepatitis A and B vaccinations and hepatitis C counseling and testing have increased from essentially no activity in 1999 to substantial levels of service in 2005.