When is hepatitis b vaccine administered

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. People who get infected can have no symptoms, or they can have a mild illness that feels like the flu. Some can be sicker with fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice that lasts for a few weeks. And others can become lifelong carriers of the virus and get liver problems later, such as cirrhosis scarred and damaged liver or liver cancer. Anyone can get the vaccine series at any time if they missed it as a baby.

This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting infected. This includes health care and public safety workers, people with chronic liver or kidney disease, people with HIV infection , and people who inject drugs.

That's why health experts recommend that all babies get the vaccine right from birth. Routine administration schedule for hepatitis B vaccine in adults The dosing schedule is 0, 1 to 2 months, and 4 to 6 months. There is some flexibility in the schedule, but be sure to keep in mind the minimum intervals between doses: At least four weeks between doses 1 and 2 At least eight weeks between doses 2 and 3 At least 16 weeks between doses 1 and 3 If your patient falls behind on the hepatitis B vaccination schedule even if a year or more has elapsed , continue vaccinating from where your patient left off.

The series does NOT need to be restarted. Recommended adult dosing volume of monovalent hepatitis B vaccine Age 19 years and younger: Use 0. Age 20 years and older: 1. For dialysis patients, a larger dose is needed. See the prescribing information. Which adults should be vaccinated against hepatitis B?

According to CDC recommendations, adults in the following groups are recommended to receive hepatitis B vaccine: General All people age 18 years and younger.

Anyone 19 years and older who wants to be protected from hepatitis B. People at risk for infection by sexual exposure Sex partners of people who are hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg -positive. Sexually active people who are not in long-term, mutually monogamous relationships.

People seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease. Men who have sex with men. People at risk for infection by percutaneous or permucosal exposure to blood or body fluids Current or recent illegal injection drug users. Household contacts of people who are HBsAg-positive. Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally challenged people. Healthcare and public safety workers with reasonably anticipated risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids.

People with end-stage renal disease, including predialysis, hemo-, peritoneal- and home-dialysis patients. Others International travelers to regions with intermediate or high levels of endemic HBV infection. People with chronic liver disease. People with HIV infection. People with diabetes who are age 19 through 59 years. For those age 60 and older, clinicians should make a determination of need for vaccination based on their patients' situation.

This page was reviewed on November 13, Immunization Action Coalition. Sign up for email newsletter. ACIP Recommendations. Package Inserts. Additional Immunization Resources. Adult Vaccination. Screening Checklists. Ask the Experts.

Shop IAC. CDC Schedules. Standing Orders for Vaccination. Hepatitis B Vaccination of Adults. Minus Related Pages. Adults recommended to receive HepB vaccine: Persons at risk for infection by sexual exposure Sex partners of hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg —positive persons Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship e. Implementation Guidelines To ensure vaccination of persons at risk for HBV infection, health care providers should: In settings in which a high proportion of persons have risk factors for HBV infection e.

When feasible, HepB vaccination should be offered in outreach and other settings in which services are provided to persons at risk for HBV infection e. In medical settings, health care providers should implement standing orders to identify adults recommended for HepB vaccination and administer vaccination as part of routine services.

Recommended doses of Hepatitis B vaccines by age group and vaccine type. Pregnant or breastfeeding people should be vaccinated if they are at risk for getting hepatitis B. Pregnancy or breastfeeding are not reasons to avoid hepatitis B vaccination. People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting hepatitis B vaccine.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death. An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic.

If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness , call and get the person to the nearest hospital. Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years.

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