Hepatitis B VaccineWhat the hepatitis B vaccine is forHepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver. It's spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B can be very serious. It can make the liver suddenly stop working or cause gradual damage to the liver over time. It can also increase your chances of getting liver cancer. Vaccination against hepatitis B helps reduce your chances of getting infected. Who should have the hepatitis B vaccineVaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for all babies as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for people at higher risk of catching or getting seriously ill from hepatitis B. Check your travel riskYou can check the risks of a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website Who cannot have the hepatitis B vaccineMost people who need the hepatitis B vaccine can have it, including if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. The only reason you cannot have the vaccine is if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. Getting vaccinated if you're unwellIf you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities, wait until you're feeling better before having the vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine ingredientsThere are several types of hepatitis B vaccine used in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets. How to get the hepatitis B vaccineThere are different ways to get vaccinated against hepatitis B. How the hepatitis B vaccine is givenThe hepatitis B vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh. You need at least 3 doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection from hepatitis B. There's usually a month gap between each dose, but sometimes 3 doses can be given within 21 days (with a 4th dose 12 months after the first dose) if you need faster protection. Some people (such as babies exposed to hepatitis B before birth) need more than 3 doses to get the best protection. Booster dosesYou usually only need booster doses of a hepatitis B vaccine if:
Having the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccinesYou can have the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including the rotavirus vaccine and MMR vaccine. Side effects of the hepatitis B vaccineMost of the side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine are mild and do not last long. They can include:
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. The hepatitis B vaccines used in the UK contain a killed (destroyed) version of the hepatitis B virus, so there's no risk of getting the infection from the vaccine. More about vaccine safetyFind out more about why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself How well the hepatitis B vaccine worksThe hepatitis B vaccine works very well at helping protect people against hepatitis B. Research has shown that:
The vaccine can work less well in some people, such as people with kidney failure, so extra doses are sometimes needed. ImportantThere's still a chance you could get hepatitis B after being vaccinated, so it's still important to try to reduce your risk of catching it, such as by using condoms during sex and not sharing toothbrushes or needles. Sexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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