Madison Clarke
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that prevents hepatitis B infection and protects against clinical disease and chronic HBV infection. The vaccine is available by itself and in combination with other vaccines. It is recommended for all newborns, children, adolescents, and adults, especially those at high risk of infection. The hepatitis B vaccine is administered in a series of two or three shots, depending on the brand, and is given by injection into a muscle. It is generally safe, with mild and uncommon side effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of vaccine | Preventative vaccine against hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus |
| Effectiveness | Provides lifetime protection against hepatitis B |
| Long-term protection | Yes |
| Safety | Safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Safe for infants, children, and adults. Serious side effects are very uncommon. |
| Common side effects | Pain, soreness, redness at the site of injection, headache, fatigue |
| Rare side effects | Severe allergic reactions including hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness |
| Administration | Injection into a muscle |
| Dosage | Two or three doses depending on the brand |
| Time between doses | One month apart |
| Availability | Available by itself and in combination with other vaccines |
| Common brands | Recombivax HB, Engerix-B, Elovac B, Genevac B, Shanvac B, Heplisav-B, Prehevbrio, Euvax B, Twinrix, Pediarix, Vaxelis |
| Age groups | Recommended for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults at higher risk of infection |
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What You'll Learn
Hepatitis B vaccine safety
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccines have been available since 1982, and over 1 billion doses have been used. The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, and it is recommended for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults at high risk of infection. In the United States, vaccination is recommended for nearly all babies at birth, and many countries routinely vaccinate infants against hepatitis B.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is also known as the first "anti-cancer" vaccine because it prevents hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. Vaccination has resulted in dramatic reductions in the prevalence of the carrier state, with a reduction in the carrier rate to less than 1% from levels of 15-20%. Data from Taiwan also shows that the Hepatitis B vaccination reduces the incidence of liver cancer in children.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe for pregnant women and can be given during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It has not been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic illness, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or any other autoimmune conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and numerous medical societies affirm that there is no confirmed evidence that the vaccine causes any of these conditions.
Like any medicine, the Hepatitis B vaccine can have side effects, but many people who receive it experience no side effects at all. The most common side effects are mild and may include injection site pain, soreness, or redness, headache, and fatigue, usually lasting 1-2 days. Serious side effects are very uncommon. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is an early warning system co-managed by the CDC and FDA that monitors for potential vaccine safety problems. Healthcare providers and vaccine manufacturers are required by law to report certain adverse events following vaccination to VAERS, and patients and caregivers can also submit reports.
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Who should get the vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns, infants, children, and adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccinating all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults, especially those at high risk of infection.
Infants born to mothers with hepatitis B are at high risk and should receive the first dose of the vaccine within 12 to 24 hours of birth, followed by two or three more doses. This vaccine is safe for pregnant women and has been shown to reduce the risk of infection in newborns, leading to a significant reduction in liver cancer in countries with high hepatitis B infection rates.
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, end-stage renal disease, or chronic liver disease. Additionally, people with jobs or lifestyles that increase their risk of exposure to the hepatitis B virus should consider vaccination. This includes healthcare workers, public safety personnel, and those who are sexually active outside of a long-term, monogamous relationship.
International travellers to countries with high or intermediate levels of hepatitis B infections, such as Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, should also consider getting the vaccine.
It is important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine series is not beneficial for those with a current or past HBV infection. However, for those who have never been tested, vaccination should not be delayed, and testing can be offered at future visits.
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Vaccine effectiveness
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that can provide a lifetime of protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. The vaccine is safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding and has not been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is also safe for those with poor immune function, such as people with HIV/AIDS and those born prematurely. Serious side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine are very uncommon, and soreness at the injection site is the most common side effect.
Vaccination is the primary tool for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. The hepatitis B vaccine is inexpensive and is available at doctors' offices, local health departments, and clinics. It is recommended for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults at higher risk of infection. In countries with high rates of hepatitis B infection, vaccination of newborns has not only reduced the risk of infection but has also led to a marked reduction in liver cancer.
The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of two or three shots, depending on the vaccine brand. If you get the three-shot series, the shots will be given over a 6-month period, while the two-dose series is given about one month apart. It is important to get all the shots to be fully protected. The first dose is recommended within 24 hours of birth, with either two or three more doses given after that.
Studies have found that immune memory against hepatitis B is sustained for at least 30 years after vaccination, protecting against clinical disease and chronic hepatitis B infection. The vaccine provides long-term protection against illness from acute and chronic infection, even in cases where anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-Hbs) levels decline below detectable levels.
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Vaccine availability
Safe and effective vaccines to prevent hepatitis B have been available since the 1980s. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth, for children up to 18 years, and adults at high risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and all adults at higher risk for infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, children up to age 18, adults aged 19–59, and adults 60 and older who are at high risk for infection.
The hepatitis B vaccine is available at doctors' offices, local health departments, or clinics. All doses of the vaccine are required to be fully protected against hepatitis B. The first dose should be administered in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life for babies born to infected mothers. The second shot should be given at least one month (or 28 days) after the first shot. The hepatitis B vaccine is also available in combination with other vaccines, such as Twinrix (GSK), which is a vaccine against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and Pediarix, which is a vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and poliomyelitis. Vaxelis is another combination vaccine that includes hepatitis B protection.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk for infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or country of birth. People who fall into the latter category include those who are sexually active and not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, those seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted infection, and those with end-stage renal disease, including pre-dialysis, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients. Residents and staff of facilities for persons with developmental disabilities, as well as travellers to and families adopting from countries where hepatitis B is common (e.g. Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East), are also at high risk for infection.
The hepatitis B vaccine is considered one of the safest and most effective vaccines ever made. It is given by injection into a muscle and has been shown to provide protection for at least 30 years after vaccination. In November 2017, a two-dose vaccine, Heplisav-B (Dynavax), was approved by the FDA for use in adults aged 18 and older in the US. More than 1 billion doses of the hepatitis B vaccine have been administered worldwide.
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Side effects
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that can be administered to infants, children, and adults. It is recommended for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults at higher risk of infection. The first dose is advised within 24 hours of birth, followed by two or three additional doses.
Although the hepatitis B vaccine is generally safe, as with any medication, there is a small risk of side effects. Serious side effects are uncommon, and the vaccine has not been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome or autoimmune conditions like MS, diabetes, or asthma. However, some people may experience minor side effects, such as soreness or pain at the injection site. This is the most common side effect and typically does not require medical attention.
Other possible side effects, which may occur days or weeks after receiving the vaccine, include:
- Aches or pain in the joints
- Fever
- Skin rash or welts
These side effects usually do not require medical attention and may go away as the body adjusts. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional if any of these symptoms persist or become bothersome.
It is important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine recombinant, which has been available since 1982, is made without any human blood or blood products. It cannot give you the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Additionally, studies have shown that the vaccine does not cause pediatric- or geriatric-specific problems, and it poses minimal risk to infants when used during breastfeeding.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a monitoring system co-managed by the CDC and FDA to identify potential vaccine safety issues. While controversial adverse events have been associated with the hepatitis B vaccine, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and chronic fatigue syndrome, these links remain under investigation and are not universally accepted.
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Frequently asked questions
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that can be given to infants, children, and adults. It is recommended for all newborns and children up to 18 years of age, and for adults at higher risk of infection.
The number of doses depends on the vaccine brand and can be either two or three doses. The shots are typically given one month apart, and all doses are required to be fully protected against hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B vaccine is considered safe, and most people do not experience any side effects. The most common side effect is soreness or pain at the injection site, which is usually mild and lasts 1-2 days. Serious side effects are very uncommon.
