Please call the number listed below to make an appointment. Referrals should be made only after the patient has been evaluated by his or her primary care physician.

Difference Between Hepatitis B Vaccine and Hepatitis B Screening (Blood Test)
The Hepatitis B Vaccine is a series of 3 shots given over a 6-month period that can provide a lifetime of protection.

There is a simple hepatitis B blood test that your doctor or health clinic can order called the “hepatitis B blood panel”. This test can tell whether the individual has successfully built up protective antibodies. It is recommended that all health care workers and household members or sexual partners of an infected individual have their antibody levels tested one month after completing the vaccine series.

Who should get tested for Hepatitis B (blood test)?
Individuals who are most at risk for hepatitis including:
  • Health care workers and emergency personnel
  • Infants born to mothers who are infected at the time of delivery
  • Partners or individuals living in close household contact with someone who is infected
  • Individuals who have had multiple sex partners or who have been diagnosed with an STD
  • Injection drug users
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Individuals who recieved a blood transfusion prior to 1992
  • Individuals who get tattoos or body piercings
  • Individuals who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Easter Europe and the Middle East)
  • Individuals emigrating from countries where hepatitis B is common, or are born to parents who emigrated from these countries
Where to get Hepatitis B screening in New York City
Free Hepatitis B screenings (blood tests) are provided for those individuals that are MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) or individuals that present with an STD (Sexuallly Transmitted Disease) through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene STD clinics. Further info can be obtained from the New York City Department of Health or call “311” and ask for a clinic near you. (Spanish operators available as well as other language translation services).

For pregnant mothers who may be surface antigen positive that are worried about transmission to their baby, Hepatitis B screenings (blood tests) are performed during regular prenatal care. If prenatal care was not performed, the hepatitis screening will be performed at the time of delivery. Check with your doctor/healthcare provider and ask about the hepatitis B screening. Mothers looking for other healthcare services for themselves or their baby or child that are free or low cost may also contact “311” and an operator will help locate a clinic near you. (Spanish operators available as well as other language translation services).

For the general population, you should have your Hepatitis B screenings (blood tests) performed by your doctor/healthcare provider.

However, for those individual of the general population without insurance, there are periodic community events/initiatives/projects sponsored by various community-based organizations or ethnic-based organization that offer free or low-cost Hepatitis B screenings (blood tests). For example, within the Chinese community the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC) is community-based organization that may sponsor these free events. Currently, clinics, specifically, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene affiliated clinics, do not provide free Hepatitis B screenings in New York City to the general population. You may also check with “311” and speak to the operator about finding a clinic near you for other healthcare services.

Understanding Your Hepatitis B Blood Test
The Hepatitis B Foundation offer information to patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals about hepatitis B. This link provides information about understanding your hepatitis B blood test including an information sheet that can be downloaded at the Hepatitis B Foundation. Additional Hepatitis B blood test information can be obtained from the following link.



Pediatric Viral Hepatitis Network. COPYRIGHT © 2003, New York University School of Medicine.
All rights reserved.