DRUG abusers, particularly those who inject substances, are being urged to get themselves vaccinated against the potentially lethal hepatitis B condition.

Bury and Rochdale Health Authority has started a borough wide vaccination programme for those most at risk of developing the condition.

Addicts who inject drugs, as well as their sexual partners, are at an increased risk of acquiring the infection which results in an inflammation of the liver.

Symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and jaundice. However, these signs vary from person to person with some being severely affected and others having mild or even no symptoms. The condition is passed by blood or sexual fluid from an infected person.

People with hepatitis B are at risk of chronic liver disease including cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. Between 15 and 25 per cent of individuals with chronic hepatitis B will die prematurely from such complications.

Users of illegal substances will be offered an accelerated course of vaccination, which will also be offered to abusers who are likely to start injecting and those who have been diagnosed as already contracting hepatitis C.

Dr Leroy Benons, consultant in communicable disease control at Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said: "We are aiming to access drug misusers to receive the vaccination programme in a variety of ways. We will be targeting community drug teams, needle exchange facilities, community pharmacies, Buckley Hall Prison, police stations, sexual health clinics and other medical and judiciary agencies.

"It is essential that we vaccinate users at risk, particularly those who have recently started injecting or are likely to start injecting drugs. The programme is an opportunity for all agencies who are in contact with drug misusers to work together in identifying and protecting these vulnerable people."