TYPES OF VACCINATION [HEPATITIS B]

HEPATITIS B VACCINATION

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B??

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted from one person to another through blood and body fluids, and primarily infects the liver. In the United States, it is most commonly spread through sexual contact or injection drug use. Health care workers and others exposed to infected blood or body fluids are also at high risk for infection. Worldwide, it is most commonly spread to infants by their infected mothers.

Hepatitis B can cause:

Acute (short-term) illness. This can lead to:

• loss of appetite • diarrhea and vomiting

• tiredness • jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

• pain in muscles, joints, and stomach

Acute illness, with symptoms, is more common among adults. Children who become infected usually do not have symptoms.Chronic (long-term) infection. Some people go on to 

develop chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus is easily spread through contact with the 

blood or other body fluids of an infected person. People can also be infected from contact with a contaminated object, where the virus can live for up to 7 days.

• A baby whose mother is infected can be infected at birth;

• Children, adolescents, and adults can become infected 

by:

- contact with blood and body fluids through breaks in

the skin such as bites, cuts, or sores;

- contact with objects that have blood or body fluids on

them such as toothbrushes, razors, or monitoring and 

treatment devices for diabetes;

- having unprotected sex with an infected person;

- sharing needles when injecting drugs;

- being stuck with a used needle.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE: Why get vaccinated?

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of hepatitis B infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis.Hepatitis B vaccine may be given by itself or in the same shot with other vaccines.Routine hepatitis B vaccination was recommended for 

some U.S. adults and children beginning in 1982, and for all children in 1991. Since 1990, new hepatitis B infections among children and adolescents have dropped by more than 

95%—and by 75% in other age groups.Vaccination gives long-term protection from hepatitis B infection, possibly lifelong.

Who should get HEPATITIS B vaccine and when?

Children and adolescents

• Babies normally get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine:

1st Dose: Birth

2nd Dose: 1-2 months of age

3rd Dose: 6-18 months of age

 Some babies might get 4 doses, for example, if a combination vaccine containing hepatitis B is used. (This is a single shot containing several vaccines.) The extra

dose is not harmful.

• Anyone through 18 years of age who didn’t get the vaccine when they were younger should also be vaccinated.

Adults

• All unvaccinated adults at risk for hepatitis B infection should be vaccinated. This includes:

- sex partners of people infected with hepatitis B,

- men who have sex with men,

- people who inject street drugs,

- people with more than one sex partner,

- people with chronic liver or kidney disease,

- people under 60 years of age with diabetes, 

- people with jobs that expose them