
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that is recommended for all infants at birth, and for children up to 18 years. It is also recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk of infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, country of birth, or age. The hepatitis B vaccine is given as a series of three shots, with the first dose given within 24 hours of birth, the second dose given one to two months later, and the third dose given between six months and 18 months after the first dose. The hepatitis B vaccine is known as the first anti-cancer vaccine because it prevents hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who should get the vaccine? | All infants at birth, unvaccinated children younger than 19 years of age, adults aged 19–59 years, and adults 60 and older with risk factors for hepatitis B. |
| Number of doses | Three doses for people aged 19 and younger, and three or four doses for people aged 20 and older. |
| Interval between doses | The second dose is given one month after the first dose, and the third dose is given four months after the first dose and two months after the second dose. |
| Type of vaccine | Monovalent, pentavalent, hexavalent, Twinrix, Heplisav-B, Engerix-B, Recombivax HB |
| Who should not get the vaccine? | People with a current HBV infection or those who have recovered from a past HBV infection. |
| Protection offered | Lifetime protection against hepatitis B, hepatitis delta, and liver cancer. |
| Side effects | Extremely rare cause of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective
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. It is safe for pregnant women and protects against hepatitis B in more than 95% of healthy infants, children, and young adults. It is also safe for people aged 19 and younger, who should receive three doses, and for people aged 20 and older, who should also receive three doses.
The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines ever made. Numerous studies have been conducted by the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many different medical societies, and no evidence has been found that the vaccine causes sudden infant deaths (SIDs), autism, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological disorders. Common side effects may include soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
The hepatitis B vaccine is a highly effective tool for the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Vaccination has reduced the rate of chronic infection to less than 1% among immunized children in many countries. It is important to get all doses of the vaccine to be fully protected against hepatitis B. Babies born to infected mothers must receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life.
Hepatitis D Vaccine: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is recommended for all infants at birth
The Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth, and for good reason. The vaccine is safe and effective, and can save thousands of lives. It can also provide a lifetime of protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide, and the Hepatitis B vaccine is also known as the first "anti-cancer" vaccine as it prevents the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the vaccine be administered soon after birth, and before hospital discharge. This is because babies born to infected mothers must receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in the delivery room, or within the first 12 hours of life. If the mother does not have the virus, the baby can receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. This is important as it minimizes the risk of infection from the mother or other infected persons in the household.
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for babies who weigh less than 4 pounds, 7 ounces (2,000 grams) at birth, whose mothers have the virus in their blood. This is because the illness is often contracted from the mother at birth, and 90% of infants who are infected will develop chronic symptoms later in life. The vaccine can help prevent these long-term chronic health issues, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in three doses, with the second shot at least one month (or 28 days) after the first, and the third shot at least four months (16 weeks) after the first, and two months after the second. The same vaccine should be used for all doses, but if a different brand is administered, the dose will still be valid.
RSV Vaccination: One Shot Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is also recommended for adults at risk
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults at risk of infection. This includes adults living with diabetes, those with end-stage renal disease, and those on dialysis. The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults who are at high risk of infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or country of birth. For example, health care and public safety personnel who may come into contact with blood or blood-contaminated body fluids are advised to get the vaccine. Additionally, international travellers to countries with high or intermediate levels of endemic hepatitis B virus infection should consider vaccination.
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults who have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. This is because of the loss of immune memory that often follows the transplant procedure. A 3-dose schedule is recommended at 6, 8 and 12 months after the transplant.
The hepatitis B vaccine is generally given as a series of three shots. People aged 19 and younger should receive three doses, while people aged 20 and older should receive three to four doses depending on their health condition. The first dose is typically given within 24 hours of birth, followed by the second dose one to two months later, and the third dose at six months to 18 months. However, alternative schedules may be considered, with a minimum interval between doses to ensure maximum long-term protection.
It is important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and can provide a lifetime of protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. It is also known as the first "anti-cancer" vaccine as it prevents hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.
Tdap Vaccine Ingredients: What's Inside?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It does not contain blood products
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that does not contain any blood products. It is synthetically made and provides a lifetime of protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. It is recommended for all infants at birth, and for children up to 18 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, followed by additional vaccine doses on a recommended schedule, usually at one month and six months.
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk of infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, country of birth, or age. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends hepatitis B vaccination for adults aged 19-59 and adults 60 and older with risk factors for hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B vaccine is an injection given in the arm and is typically administered in a three-dose series, with the second dose given at least one month after the first, and the third dose given at least four months after the first and two months after the second. For adults on haemodialysis, four doses are recommended.
It is important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine does not benefit those with a current HBV infection or those who have recovered from a past infection. However, it is critical for the protection of babies born to infected mothers, who must receive the first dose within the first 12 hours of life.
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. It is a safe and effective way to protect oneself and one's loved ones from this preventable disease.
Cancer Vaccines: 4 Distinct Types, One Goal
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It can be administered in 2 or 3 doses
The hepatitis B vaccine is generally administered in 2 or 3 doses, depending on the age of the person receiving the vaccine and other factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 0, 1, and 6-month vaccine schedule for infants, with the first dose administered within 24 hours of birth. This schedule can vary based on a country's national immunization program. For infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers, the WHO recommends the first dose be given within 24 hours of birth, followed by a dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and additional vaccine doses per the recommended schedule.
In the United States, the recommended schedule for infants is typically 1 month and 6 months for the additional two doses. The first shot is usually given at 6 weeks of age, but a monovalent or single dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended within 24 hours of birth to protect infants from hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine series can then be completed with a combination vaccine such as the pentavalent or hexavalent vaccine, which provides protection against 5 or 6 diseases, including hepatitis B.
For individuals not receiving the pentavalent vaccine, the remaining 2-3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are administered according to the recommended schedule. The second dose is typically given at least one month (28 days) after the first shot, and the third dose is administered at least 4 months (16 weeks) after the first shot and 2 months after the second shot.
The number of doses may vary for different age groups and specific circumstances. People aged 19 and younger typically receive three doses, while those 20 and older may also receive three doses. Adults on hemodialysis are recommended to receive four doses. Additionally, there are two-dose vaccines available, such as Heplisav-B, which is recommended for adults aged 18 and older and does not require a booster dose for long-term protection.
It is important to note that the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, providing protection against hepatitis B, hepatitis delta, and lowering the lifetime risk of liver cancer. It is recommended for all infants at birth, children up to 18 years of age, adults up to 59 years, and older adults at high risk for infection or seeking protection.
Vaccine Refusal: Do I Need to Sign a Form?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that protects against hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. It is recommended for all infants at birth, children up to 18 years, and adults at risk of infection.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns, children up to 18 years of age, and adults at high risk of infection. This includes adults with diabetes, those with end-stage renal disease, and international travellers to countries with high or intermediate levels of hepatitis B.
The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as a three-dose series, with the first dose administered within 24 hours of birth for infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers. The second dose is given one month after the first, and the third dose is given at least four months after the first and two months after the second. For adults on haemodialysis, four doses are recommended.











































