Description

Hepatitis B vaccine is indicated for active immunization against Hepatitis B infection, which is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It spreads from person to person via contact with contaminated food or water. It can be spread from a mother to her newborn baby, by sharing needles and other equipment during drug use, by having sex with an infected person, by having a tattoo or body piercing, and by sharing contaminated toothbrushes or razors.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for the following people:

• People whose sex partners have hepatitis B
• People seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease
• People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
• People who live with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus
• Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or body fluids
• Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled people
• People travelling to high-risk countries
• People with chronic liver disease, kidney disease on dialysis, HIV infection, infection with hepatitis C, or diabetes

Route of Administration-Intramuscular Injection.

Immunization Schedule

Pediatric dose vaccine: 10 mcg dose (in 0.5 ml suspension) is recommended for neonates, infants, children, and adolescents upto 19 years of age.

Adult dose vaccine: 20 mcg dose (1.0 ml suspension) is recommended for adults aged 20 years and above

A series of 3 shots can prevent this serious disease

6, 10, 14 weeks for infants

0, 1, 6 months for children, adolescents, and adults

0, 1, 2 months (for rapid protection)

Adult Vaccine is given by an injection into a muscle as soon as possible after exposure to a risk and will help prevent infection. It is recommended for all infants and children up to age 18 years and adults in high-risk groups. This medicine does not work if you already have hepatitis B.

It is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, it may cause fatigue and injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, or pain in some people.

Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worry you.

A “booster” dose is an extra dose of vaccine that can increase or extend the effectiveness of the vaccine. Most healthy people do not need a booster dose, but a blood test can be performed to check your immunity and decide if a booster dose of vaccine is necessary.