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Vaccine Types

Hepatitis B

What is it?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which is spread through blood and bodily fluids. HBV remains alive and viable in the environment for at least seven days and can ‘live’ on inanimate objects, even those that do not show visible signs of blood. Most people with hepatitis B have few or no symptoms, making transmission to unvaccinated individuals easier. Although rare, HBV can be transmitted in medical settings, classrooms, or in the workplace.

Most newborns and about 50 percent of children who are infected with hepatitis B develop chronic hepatitis. The younger a person is when infected, the greater risk of developing chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis damages the liver and can lead to liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Why is it important?

Parents often ask why this vaccine is recommended for babies when most of them won't be exposed to HBV for many years. There are three basic reasons why we vaccinate at birth:

1. Completing this vaccine series gives your child decades-long protection against the disease.

2. Babies and young children are at very high risk of developing chronic HBV infection. Over 1.2 million people in the U.S. are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus.

3. Early childhood infections do happen – before the vaccine about 16,000 children under the age of 10 were infected with HBV every year in the U.S.

Progress

Since the U.S. started a national strategy to eliminate HBV in 1991, the rate of new HBV infections has declined by approximately 82 percent. The decline has been greatest among children born since 1991, when routine vaccination of children was first recommended.

Vaccine Recommendations

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all children receive their first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the vaccine series by age 6–18 months. Older children and adolescents who did not previously receive the Hepatitis B vaccine should also be vaccinated.

Side Effects

Hepatitis B is a very safe vaccine. Most people do not have any side effects. Severe allergic reactions are rare and are believed to occur about once in 1.1 million doses.

Mild side effects may include:

• Soreness where the shot was given (up to about 1 in 4)
• Temperature of 99.9°F or higher (up to about 1 person in 15).

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