Prevention

Currently, there is no effective vaccine against hepatitis C. Therefore, prevention relies on reducing the risk of infection and practicing safe behavior—both at the level of the healthcare system and at the individual level.

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Prevention at the healthcare system level

According to the latest 2025 WHO recommendations, key prevention measures include:

• safe use of injections in medical practice;
• proper handling and disposal of needles and medical waste;
• mandatory testing of donated blood and its components for hepatitis C and other infections;
• training of medical personnel in infection control standards;
• providing harm reduction services to people who inject drugs.
  

In Ukraine, these measures are part of the State Policy on Public Health and the Prevention of Infectious Diseases, as set forth in the State Strategy on Combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis for the period up to 2030 (EN), approved by Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1415-r dated November 27, 2019

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What Everyone Can Do

Since there is no vaccine, personal prevention is crucial. To reduce the risk of infection:

• practice safe sex (use condoms);
• do not share injection or intranasal drug-use equipment;
• When getting a tattoo or piercing, insist on the use of sterile instruments;
• Do not use other people’s personal hygiene items (razors, manicure tools);
• Avoid contact with blood without protective equipment.
  

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Vaccination for people with hepatitis C

All patients with or without viral hepatitis C who:

• have not previously had viral hepatitis A (HAV) and/or viral hepatitis B (HBV)
  and
  
• had not been vaccinated against these infections,
  

👉 It is recommended to get vaccinated against HAV and HBV.

This is important because co-infection with multiple viral hepatitis viruses significantly accelerates liver damage and increases the risk of severe complications.

A safe and highly effective hepatitis B vaccine is available today, providing 98–100% protection.
Preventing hepatitis B infection:

• also protects against the hepatitis D virus;
• reduces the risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer;
• is an important part of comprehensive care for patients with hepatitis C.
  

The decision regarding vaccination is made by the physician after assessing the patient’s vaccination and infection status.

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Awareness and Testing

In the absence of a vaccine, awareness, regular testing, and safe behavior are key to protecting against hepatitis C.

In Ukraine, the WHO and the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine recommend testing all adults, and for people at high risk—regular (specifically annual) testing.

Early detection of the infection allows for:

• start treatment in a timely manner;
• prevent liver damage;
• break the chain of transmission.
  

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We’re here to help you navigate these steps calmly and clearly—from testing to the next steps.