Hepatitis vaccination program promoted for gay men in Pacific Northwest

The Clark County, Wash., Health Department has joined with other groups in the region to promote hepatitis A and B vaccinations for gay and bisexual men in Washington and Oregon, The [Vancouver, Wash.] Columbian reports. More than two thirds of the nation's gay men have not been vaccinated against the sexually transmitted disease, according to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. Both diseases are on the rise among men who have sex with men, according to federal health officials. "Hepatitis A and B are both preventable by vaccine, and both shots can be given at the same time," said Ryan Lutz of the health department. Clark County officials are working with their peers in the Seattle-King County health department and with other health and gay organizations in the two states to urge as many gay and bisexual men as possible to receive the preventative vaccines. A media campaign is planned for later this year.