Stay Free from Hepatitis B
What you need to know before you or your child
get the vaccine
About the Disease
Risks of the disease
Hepatitis B is a serious disease. The first stage of it may lead to:
- loss of desire to eat
- feeling tired
- pains in muscles, joints, or stomach
- diarrhea or vomiting
- yellow skin or eyes
- death
Long-lasting infection with hepatitis B virus
may:
- destroy the liver (cirrhosis)
- lead to liver cancer
- cause death
Each year in the U.S.:
- 150,000 people get hepatitis B
- More than 11,000 people have to stay in the
hospital for care
- 4,000 to 5,000 people die from hepatitis B
How is it spread?
Hepatitis B virus is carried in the blood and body fluids of an infected person.
It can pass through tiny breaks in the skin, mouth, vagina, or penis. A person
can get infected in several ways, such as:
- during birth when the infected mother passes
the virus to her baby
- by having sex with an infected person
- by being pricked with a used needle
- by sharing personal items, such as a razor or
a toothbrush
People can spread hepatitis B virus without even
knowing they have it.
About the Vaccine
Benefits of the vaccine
Vaccination is the best way to protect against hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B vaccine schedule
Most people should get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. If a person misses a dose
or gets behind schedule, they should get the next dose as soon as they can.
There is no need to start over. Other vaccines may be given at the same time as
hepatitis B vaccine.
| Age for Hepatitis B
Vaccine |
| Dose # |
Infant whose mother HAS
hepatitis B virus |
Infant whose mother does NOT
have Hepatitis B virus |
Other recommended age groups |
| 1 |
Within 12 hours of birth |
Birth - 2 months |
Now |
| 2 |
1-2 months of age (at least 1
month after dose #1) |
1-4 months of age (at least 1
month after dose #1) |
1-2 months after dose #1 |
| 3 |
6 months of age (at least 2
months after dose #2) |
6-18 months of age (at least 2
months after dose #2) |
4-6 months after dose # 1 |
Who should get hepatitis B vaccine?
- Most infants
- Children 10 years of age and younger whose
parents are from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common
- Pre-teens and teens who did not get the
vaccine already
- Adults at risk
Ask your doctor or nurse if you should get the
vaccine.
Tell your doctor or nurse if the person getting the vaccine:
- ever had a serious allergic reaction to:
- hepatitis B vaccine
- common baker's yeast
- currently has a moderate or severe illness
If you are not sure, ask your doctor or nurse.
What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?
Hepatitis B vaccine is one o the safest vaccines. As with any medicine, there is
always a small risk that serious problems, even death, could occur after getting
a vaccine. Getting the disease is much more likely to cause serious illness than
getting the vaccine.
Mild problems
- soreness where the shot was given
- mild to moderate fever
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin) may be
used to reduce fever and pain.
Severe problems
- serious allergic reaction is very rare
What to do if there is a serious reaction:
- Call a doctor or get the person to a doctor
right away.
- Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department
to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form. To file a report yourself you
can call: (800) 822-7967 (toll-free)
About Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG)
Benefits: HBIG protects from hepatitis B virus infection for 1-3 months.
Schedule: HBIG is given with the first hepatitis B vaccine dose to people
who have recently been exposed to hepatitis B virus.
Who should get HBIG:
- Newborns of women infected with hepatitis B
virus
- Infants who never got the vaccine and whose
parent or caregiver has hepatitis B
- People recently exposed to blood or body
fluids that may contain the hepatitis B virus
- People who recently had sex with someone with
hepatitis B
Risks: swelling, hives, severe allergic
reaction
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