Vaccination for Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B Vaccine: What You Need to Know ?
Why get vaccinated?
Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mild
illness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a
serious, lifelong illness.
Acute hepatitis B infection
short-term illness that can lead to fever, fatigue,
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellow
skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel
movements), and pain in the muscles, joints, and
stomach.
Chronic hepatitis B infection
long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B
virus remains in a person’s body. Most people who
go on to develop chronic hepatitis B do not have
symptoms, but it is still very serious and can lead to
liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death.
Chronically-infected people can spread hepatitis B
virus to others, even if they do not feel or look sick
themselves.
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:
All infants
All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of
age who have not been vaccinated
People at risk for infection by sexual exposure
People whose sex partners have hepatitis B
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Sexually active people who are not in a long-term,
mutually monogamous relationship (for example, people
with more than one sex partner in the past 6 months)
People seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually
transmitted infection
Men who have sex with men
People at risk for infection by exposure to blood
People who inject drugs
People who live with someone who has hepatitis B
People who live or work in facilities for people with
developmental disabilities
Health-care and public-safety workers at risk for
exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids on
the job
People who receive hemodialysis
People with diabetes who are 19–59 years of age (people
with diabetes who are age 60 or older should ask their
health care professional).
International travelers to countries where hepatitis B is
common
People with hepatitis C virus infection
People with chronic liver disease
People with HIV infection
People who are in jail or prison
All other people seeking protection from hepatitis B
virus infection
Prevention through Vaccination
Can hepatitis B be prevented?
Yes. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting
vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective.
Completing the series of shots (2, 3, or 4 doses, depending
on the manufacturer) is needed to be fully protected.
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
Yes. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, and soreness at the
injection site is the most common side effect. As with any
medicine, there are very small risks that a serious problem
could occur after getting the vaccine. The safety of
vaccines is always being monitored. For more information,
visit CDC’s vaccine safety site.
Can I get hepatitis B from being vaccinated?
No. The hepatitis B vaccine does not contain any live virus
and can’t cause hepatitis B.
Is it harmful to have an extra dose of hepatitis B vaccine or to
repeat the entire hepatitis B vaccine series?
No, getting extra doses of hepatitis B vaccine is not
harmful.
What should be done if hepatitis B vaccine series was not
completed?
If the hepatitis B vaccine series is interrupted, the next
dose should be given as soon as possible. The first dose(s)
does not need to be repeated.
Who should not receive the hepatitis B vaccine?
Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to a prior
dose of hepatitis B vaccine, any part of the vaccine, or
yeast should not get the hepatitis B vaccine.
What is a booster dose, and do I need one?
A “booster” dose is an extra dose of vaccine that can
increase or extend the effectiveness of the vaccine. Most
healthy people do not need a booster dose, but a blood
test can be performed to check your immunity and decide
if a booster dose of vaccine is necessary.
Is there a vaccine that will protect me from both hepatitis A
and hepatitis B?
Yes, there is a combination vaccine approved for adults
that protects people from both hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is usually given as
three separate doses over a 6-month period.
Can I get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other
vaccines?
Yes. Getting two different vaccines at the same time is not
harmful.
Why is the hepatitis B vaccine recommended for all babies?
Nearly all newborns who become infected with the
hepatitis B virus develop lifelong hepatitis B. This can
eventually lead to serious health problems, including liver
damage, liver cancer, and even death. Hepatitis B
vaccination is recommended for all babies to protect them
from this serious but preventable disease.
Arshiya Yaasmin.G
MPH Final Year