Who is vaccinated for hepatitis b

Vaccine recommendations and contraindications; composition, dosage, and administration; handling and storage Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Vaccines and Preventable Diseases. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. The vaccines should be given at a separate site, preferably in a different arm or leg. Since the disease is so serious, the World Health Organization has said that all babies in the world should be protected by hepatitis B vaccination.

In the UK all babies are now offered the combination 6-in-1 vaccine which contains hepatitis B vaccine as well as vaccines against five other serious diseases. The individual monovalent hepatitis B vaccine continues to be given to those in the UK at high risk of hepatitis B disease. This includes:. The hepatitis B vaccine may also be recommended as a travel vaccine for travel to some parts of the world. There are several different hepatitis B vaccines used in the UK.

For full information about ingredients, ask for the Patient Information Leaflet for the vaccine you are offered. See the 6-in-1 vaccine page for information about ingredients for this vaccine. Apart from the active ingredients the antigens , hepatitis B vaccines contain very small amounts of this added ingredient:. Hepatitis B vaccines may also contain tiny traces of products used during the manufacturing process:.

Latex may be used in the packaging of some of the hepatitis B vaccines. Several different makes of hepatitis B vaccine are used in the UK. For full information about side effects, ask for the Patient Information Leaflet for the vaccine you are offered. Side effects reported for hepatitis B vaccines in general are listed below. More serious side effects are very rare affecting fewer than 1 in 10, people at each dose. You should consult your doctor if you or your child experiences suspected serious side effects after vaccination.

This is mainly to check that it is the vaccine causing the symptoms, and not some unrelated disease. As with any vaccine, medicine or food, there is a very small chance of a severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

It is always extremely serious but can be treated with adrenaline. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. How It Works The hepatitis B vaccine is given to protect people from getting the infection. All babies need three doses: The time between the first and second shot should be at least 1 month. The time between the second and third shots should be at least 2 months; ideally, it should be 4 months or more.

At least 4 months should go by between the first and third shots. Premature babies may need a fourth shot. Why It Is Used Hepatitis B virus causes a liver infection that can lead to serious complications, including liver cancer.

For babies Healthy babies who weigh at least g 4. For children and teens Anyone 18 years of age or younger who has not previously received the hepatitis B vaccine should get it. For adults at high risk of exposure Adults who have not received the hepatitis B vaccine series should be immunized when they have an increased risk of exposure.

People who live or work where there is risk of exposure include: Health care and public safety workers who are likely to be exposed to blood or blood products. Clients and staff of institutions or residential settings with known or potential HBV carriers. People planning extended travel more than 6 months to China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and other areas where hepatitis B infection is high. People who have health conditions that put them at high risk for exposure or a severe infection include: People who have a severe kidney disease that requires them to have their blood filtered through a machine dialysis.

People who have chronic liver disease. People who have hemophilia and other conditions in which they need to have blood products on an ongoing basis. People who had a stem cell transplant. People whose lifestyle puts them at high risk for exposure include: People who inject illegal drugs. Men who have sex with men. People who have had more than one sex partner in the past 6 months or who have a history of sexually transmitted infection.

Household contacts and sex partners of hepatitis B carriers. Prison inmates. Side Effects Most people who get the vaccine do not have any problems.