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09/09/2022 | Press release | Archived content

Yes, You Should Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine

Key takeaways:

  • Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can cause liver failure and liver cancer.

  • There's no cure for hepatitis B. Vaccines are the best protection against it.

  • The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children get vaccinated against hepatitis B. If you didn't get vaccinated as a child, you can still get the vaccine as an adult.

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The hepatitis virus is one of several viruses that can infect the liver. The virus causes an illness called hepatitis B. People can get hepatitis B when they come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids that contain the hepatitis B virus. Once they have hepatitis B, they can develop liver failure and liver cancer.

There's no cure for hepatitis B. Vaccination is the best protection against this life-long infection. If you've been thinking about getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, here's everything you need to know about the vaccine.

What is the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects people from getting sick with the hepatitis B virus. It does not contain any live virus, so it cannot cause hepatitis B or any other illness.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given as an injection. People need 2, 3, or 4 doses to be fully immune to the hepatitis B virus depending on which vaccine they get.

Four hepatitis B vaccines are available in the U.S.:

Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio are only available for people over 18 years old. Engerix-B and Recombivax HB are available in adult and children's doses.

The hepatitis B vaccine is also available as part of combination vaccines. Three combination vaccines are available in the U.S. that protect against hepatitis B:

Pediarix and Vaxelis are available for children. Twinrix is only available for adults.

The first hepatitis B vaccine in the U.S. was introduced in 1981. Studies show that since the vaccine became available, rates of hepatitis B have gone down 80% in the U.S.

Does the hepatitis B vaccine cause side effects?

Like all vaccines, the hepatitis B vaccine can cause minor side effects like:

  • Headache

  • Fever

  • Arm soreness

It's rare, but some people have developed allergic reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine.

The CDC and FDA monitor hepatitis B vaccine safety through the VAERS reporting system. Since it was introduced 40 years ago, the hepatitis B vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective.

Who should receive the hepatitis B vaccine?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns and infants.

They also recommend the vaccine for children and teens younger than 19 years old who weren't fully vaccinated as babies.

For adults who weren't vaccinated as children, experts recommend getting the hepatitis B vaccine if you:

  • Work in a healthcare setting

  • Are frequently exposed to blood or blood products

  • Currently use or have used injectable drugs

  • Work or live in a long-term health facility or a correctional facility

  • Live with someone who has hepatitis B

  • Have a sexual partner who has hepatitis B

  • Have HIV

  • Have a liver condition or illness (like hepatitis C)

  • Have diabetes

  • Are receiving dialysis

  • Frequently travel to countries with high rates of hepatitis B

And experts also encourage any adult who's interested to receive the hepatitis B vaccine. You can get the hepatitis B vaccine at your healthcare provider's office, most clinics, or pharmacies.

Why is the hepatitis B vaccine given to babies and children?

Hepatitis B passes from person to person through contact with blood and bodily fluids. Since children don't usually come in contact with these things, many parents and caregivers wonder why the hepatitis B vaccine is given to infants and children.

The answer lies in how the immune system responds to the hepatitis B virus. When a person comes in contact with the hepatitis B virus, their immune system tries to fight off the virus. If the immune system is able to fight off the virus, people recover completely.

People who can't fight off the virus develop a life-long hepatitis B infection called chronic hepatitis B. Children are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than adults. In fact, about 90% of infants and 50% of young children who get exposed to the hepatitis B virus develop chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, only about 5% of adults develop chronic hepatitis B.

That also means children are much more likely to develop serious complications like liver failure and liver cancer from hepatitis B.

Many children are exposed to the hepatitis B virus before or during birth. Getting the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within the first day of life protects children from developing hepatitis B.

How often do you need to be vaccinated for hepatitis B?

The hepatitis B vaccine is very effective. Studies show that getting fully vaccinated against hepatitis B gives you decades of immunity against the virus. You are immune to hepatitis B after you finish getting the entire hepatitis B vaccine series.

Most people only need to complete one course of hepatitis B vaccinations. But, if you have a weakened immune system or are receiving dialysis, your immunity might wear off. You may then need to complete another vaccination course in order to stay immune to hepatitis B.

The bottom line

Hepatitis B is an infection that can lead to liver failure and cancer. There's no cure for hepatitis B, so getting vaccinated is the best protection.

Children are more likely to develop a long-term hepatitis B infection and complications like liver failure and cancer. That's why experts recommend that all children get vaccinated against hepatitis B. They also recommend hepatitis B for adults, especially if you're more likely to come in contact with the hepatitis B virus.

The hepatitis B virus is safe and effective. There are several brands of hepatitis B vaccine available. You're considered immune to hepatitis B after receiving all the doses of hepatitis B vaccine.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Elimination of perinatal hepatitis B: Providing the first vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth. Pediatrics.

Association of American Medical Colleges. (n.d.). AAMC Standardized Immunization Form 2020.

View All References (8)
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Hepatitis B vaccines.

Hou, J., et al. (2005). Epidemiology and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. International Journal of Medical Sciences.

Immunize.org. (2022). Hepatitis B.

Kim, W. R. (2012). Epidemiology of hepatitis B in the United States. Hepatology.

Mast, E. E., et al. (2006). A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Part II: immunization of adults. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Seto, W. K., et al. (2018). Chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The Lancet.

Vaccine Knowledge Project. (2019). Hepatitis B vaccine.

Wexler, D. (2016). Technically speaking. Immunize.org.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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