Section 641.2.5. Hepatitis vaccination and testing program.

       2.5(1) When sufficient state and federal funds are available, the department will establish a vaccination and testing program. The program shall offer HCV testing and hepatitis A and B vaccinations through local health departments, clinics, and community-based organizations to high-risk individuals as defined in 2.5(2) and 2.5(3). Contracted agencies offering testing and vaccination services shall be required to provide integrated HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted disease education; pretest and posttest counseling; and referral services.

       2.5(2) Contracted agencies shall offer HCV testing to the following high-risk individuals:

        a.           Persons who have ever injected drugs;

        b.           Injection drug users who share needles or other equipment;

        c.           Persons who receive blood, blood products, or organ transplants prior to 1992; and

        d.           Persons ever on long-term hemodialysis.

       2.5(3) Contracted agencies shall offer hepatitis A and B vaccinations to the following high-risk individuals:

        a.           Injection and noninjection drug users;

        b.           Men who have sex with men;

        c.           Persons with a diagnosis of a recently acquired sexually transmitted disease (STD);

        d.           HIV- or HCV-infected persons; and

        e.           Sexual partners of persons infected with HIV, hepatitis A (HAV), or hepatitis B (HBV).

       2.5(4) Contracted agencies shall provide individuals presenting for counseling, testing, and referral services and testing positive for hepatitis C educational brochures explaining their potential risk of exposure.

       2.5(5) Contracted agencies shall provide individuals testing positive for HCV a referral list of health care providers to aid in seeking additional follow-up testing and other hepatitis-related services.