The hepatitis B vaccine protects against hepatitis B, a serious disease that damages the liver. The vaccine is one of the recommended childhood immunizations.

Vaccine - hepatitis B; Immunization - hepatitis B

The vaccine is made from inactivated whole virus of hepatitis B. The inactive virus stimulates your body to produce antibodies to fight the hepatitis B virus.

WHO SHOULD GET THIS VACCINE

The hepatitis B vaccine is given to children as a series of three injections (shots).

• The first shot is given to infants before leaving the hospital. If the baby's mother carries the hepatitis B virus, the baby receives the first vaccine shortly after birth.
• The second shot is given between 1 and 2 months of age.
• The third shot is given at 6 months of age.

For infants who do not receive the first shot until 4 to 8 weeks, the second shot is given at 4 months and the third at 6 to 16 months. In either instance, the second and third shots are given along with other routine childhood immunizations.

Adolescents who have not been vaccinated should begin the hepatitis B vaccine series at the earliest possible date.

Adults or children who have not already received the vaccine and should receive the vaccine if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Have end-stage kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or HIV infection
• Are on dialysis
• Will be receiving an organ transplant, a bone marrow transplant, or chemotherapy
• Household contacts or sexual partners of persons known to be infected with hepatitis B
• Persons with multiple sexual partners
• Men who have sex with other men
• Persons who use recreational, injectable drugs

A vaccine for adults called Twinrix provides protection against both hepatitis A and B. It is given in 3 doses.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

Most infants who receive the hepatitis B vaccine have no side effects. Others may have minor problems, such as soreness and redness at the injection site or a mild fever. Serious problems are rare and are mainly due to allergic reactions to a component of the vaccine.

CONSIDERATIONS

If the child is ill with something more serious than a cold, the hepatitis B vaccine may be delayed.

If the child has a severe allergic reaction to baker's yeast, they should not receive this vaccine.

If severe allergic reaction occurs after receiving the vaccine, no further hepatitis B vaccines should be given to the child.

CALL YOUR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• You are not sure if your child should receive this vaccine
• Moderate or serious side effects appear after receiving the vaccine
• You have any questions or concerns

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents--United States, 2008. Pediatrics. 2008 Jan;121(1):219-20.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended adult immunization schedule---United States, 2009. MMWR. January 9, 2009;57(53);Q1-Q4.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0 through 18 years---United States, 2009. MMWR. January 2, 2009;57(51&52);Q1-Q4.