Dynavax and Times Pharmacy Announce Partnership to Offer HEPLISAV-B Hepatitis B Vaccine to Customers Throughout Oahu, with a Focus on People with Diabetes

-   People with diabetes are two times more likely to become infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and up to four times as likely to get HBV-related liver cancer

-   Hawaii has one of the highest rates of liver cancer in the U.S. and hepatitis B is a leading cause

EMERYVIILLE, Calif., July 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel vaccines, and Times Pharmacy, have partnered with Hep Free Hawaii to provide HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] at pharmacy locations on Oahu, with a focus on people living with diabetes. Through this partnership, pharmacy customers will have access to HEPLISAV-B, the only FDA-approved two-dose hepatitis B vaccine for adults that is completed in one month. HEPLISAV-B is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older.

“Our goal is to eliminate hepatitis B in Hawaii, which includes vaccinating at-risk populations, such as people with diabetes,” said Thaddeus Pham, co-Founder and co-Director of the Hep Free Hawaii Coalition. “Preventing hepatitis B through immunization is an important part of preventive care and is critical to slowing the spread of hepatitis B, which will also help protect against new cases of liver cancer.”

It is estimated that half of the adults in Hawaii have type 2 diabetes or prediabetesⁱ, which lowers the efficiency of the immune system and can make people more susceptible to viral infections, such as hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is also one of the leading causes of liver cancer and Hawaii has the second highest number of cases of liver cancer and deaths in the U.S.ⁱⁱ”

“At Times Pharmacy, our customers are relying on us more than ever, and this partnership further demonstrates our commitment to providing them the best care possible,“ said Melissa Machida, Clinical Pharmacy Manager at Times Pharmacy. “One way to help protect our customers from the long-term consequences of this vaccine-preventable disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, is to provide immunization from hepatitis B. HEPLISAV-B is a two-dose vaccination series spaced apart by only one month, providing higher protection rates than previous hepatitis B vaccination options.”