Vaccinations is a treatment and is part of specialism hiv care

Hepatitis A and B vaccinations

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by medicines, drugs and alcohol or a virus. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most familiar forms, but new viruses are still being discovered that can cause inflammation of the liver.


What does vaccination involve?

Vaccination involves the injection of a vaccine against viruses or bacteria. After the injection your body produces antibodies. If you then encounter hepatitis after vaccination, your body can defend itself. At DC Clinics we offer vaccinations against hepatitis A and B. No vaccine is available against hepatitis C.


You have to pay for the hepatitis A vaccination yourself. The vaccination is given in month zero and month six. With some insurers, it is possible to declare these costs.


The hepatitis B vaccination is free (according to the RIVM guidelines). The vaccination is given in months zero, one and six, so three injections are needed to build up enough antibodies. After vaccination, a check is done to confirm the body has produced antibodies and you are protected against hepatitis B.


Pneumococci vaccination

Pneumococci

Pneumococci are bacteria that occur naturally in the airways of healthy children and adults. Sometimes these bacteria cause disease, like pneumonia, septicaemia or meningitis. People with a compromised immune system, like HIV, are at increased risk of becoming ill from the pneumococci bacteria, even if a HIV treatment has already started.


What does vaccination involve?

Effective protection against pneumococci is built up through vaccination with two different vaccines. The second dose is given after an interval of at least two months. Together, these vaccines protect against 23 variants of the pneumococci bacteria. It is still possible to become infected after vaccination. But the risk of becoming infected is much less. The second vaccination must be boosted every five years.


The first vaccination against pneumococci is not always reimbursed by your healthcare insurance. You will have more success with a letter of referral from the doctor. The second vaccination is reimbursed. Adverse effects of the vaccinations can be: swelling at the injection site, skin rash, muscle ache, raised temperature and loss of appetite. Usually, these adverse effects are transient. Severe adverse effects are very rare.


Herpes zoster vaccination

Herpes zoster (shingles)

Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). When immunity is weakened, the virus can be reactivated and cause shingles. Shingles begins with itching, tingling or a strong burning or shooting pain. Depending on the location, shingles can have severe complications. For example, near the eye there is a risk of damage and loss of sight. After the skin rash has faded, complications can arise like persistent pain.


What does vaccination involve?

From September 2021 a vaccination against shingles has become available. It is reimbursed for certain groups of people, including HIV patients. The vaccination consists of two doses. The second dose is given two to six months after the first vaccination. Adverse effects of the vaccination can be: swelling at the injection site, skin rash, muscle ache, raised temperature and loss of appetite. Usually, these adverse effects disappear spontaneously after two to three days.