Background:
Despite recommendations that MSM be vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B and wide availability of vaccines, research shows that less than half of the country's MSM population has been protected against these diseases.

Objective:
Judge the effectiveness of Hep Team Chicago, a citywide program to promote vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B for MSM in the summer of 2005.

Method:
Chicago-based members of Gay.com were surveyed in three waves: just prior to the start of the program, two weeks after the end of the program, and three months after the end of the program. In addition, data was gathered on the number of vaccinations administered at on-site events, and providers (both public and private) were interviewed regarding the impact of the program.


Result:
The percentage of respondents who reported receiving information on hepatitis in the six months prior to the survey rose from 15.7% (pre) to 30.5% (immediate post) then declined to 28.6% (three months). Percentage of respondents who initiated discussions with their healthcare providers about vaccination rose from 17.5% to 25.9% then to 27.1%. The percentage of respondents who made an appointment or got vaccinated went from 2.2% to 4.1% to 6.5%; those who reported receiving a dose of vaccine in the two months prior to the survey went from 2.7% to 4.0% to 6.8%. Nearly 800 doses of vaccine were delivered at Pride Fest events; all providers surveyed reported increase interest in vaccination among MSM.

Conclusion:
A full-funded, citywide program involving a spectrum of partners (public health, private providers, organization serving MSM) can directly impact hepatitis vaccination rates.

Implications:
In order to raise the vaccination rate of the MSM population, community-based social marketing campaigns such as Hep Team Chicago should be designed and funded on an ongoing basis in major markets with a substantial MSM population.