Hepatitis B is a preventable disease, and taking the right vaccine can protect individuals for up to 10 years, according to Dr Asare Offei, a consultant hepatobiliary surgeon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. (Hepatobiliary refers to anything that relates to the liver (hepatic) and the bile or biliary system, which includes the gallbladder and bile ducts.)
Speaking on the JoyFM’s Super Morning Show as part of Joy Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Offei stressed that vaccination remains the single most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis B, one of the leading causes of liver cancer in Ghana.
“If you are negative for hepatitis B, all you need to do is to have the vaccine in three doses. Your body will produce antibodies against the infection, which means you stand a lesser risk of getting infected when you come into contact with the virus,” he explained.
He outlined the vaccination process, which involves taking the first dose, a second shot after one month, and a final dose after three months. Once completed, the vaccine protects for up to 10 years.
Individuals can periodically check their antibody levels and, if necessary, receive a booster dose to maintain immunity.
Dr Offei also advised Ghanaians to make lifestyle changes to avoid exposure to the virus. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and body fluids, meaning sharing needles or sharp objects, and unprotected sex with infected persons, increases the risk of infection.
“If you’re pregnant, you have to make sure that you test for hepatitis B at the antenatal clinic. And if you’re positive, there are interventions to ensure you don’t transfer the infection to your child,” he added.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all individuals who test negative for the virus, including children.
Health experts say early vaccination, particularly at birth or during childhood, is key to reducing Ghana’s high hepatitis B prevalence rate.
The awareness campaign forms part of a broader public health effort to reduce liver cancer cases, as hepatitis B remains a major driver of the disease in the country.
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