Keep your child safe.
Get all vaccines on time.
By getting all the vaccines on time, your child can be protected from many diseases over a lifetime.
Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health measure.
The hepatitis B vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus. The vaccine is approved by Health Canada.
The hepatitis B vaccine is provided free as part of your child’s routine immunizations. Call your health care provider to make an appointment.
Babies get the hepatitis B vaccine as a series of 3 doses at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. It is usually combined with other childhood vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b. For more information, visit HealthLinkBC File #105 Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib) Vaccine.
Some babies are at greater risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus and need to be immunized at birth. For more information, visit HealthLinkBC File #25d Protecting Your Baby against Hepatitis B at Birth.
Children who did not receive the hepatitis B vaccine in infancy can still get the vaccine for free. It is usually given as a series of 3 doses over 6 months, depending on your child’s age and immunization history. Children 11 to 15 years of age can get 2 doses, 6 months apart.
It is important to keep a record of all immunizations received.
The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to protect your child against hepatitis B and its complications, including permanent liver damage, which can lead to liver cancer and death.
When you get your child immunized, you help protect others as well.
Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer for your child to get the vaccine than to get hepatitis B.
Common reactions to the vaccine may include soreness, swelling or redness where the vaccine was given. Other reactions include fever, headache, tiredness, nausea and diarrhea.
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen* (e.g. Advil®) can be given for fever or soreness. ASA (e.g. Aspirin®) should not be given to anyone under 18 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome.
*Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age without first speaking to your health care provider.
For more information on Reye syndrome, visit HealthLinkBC File #84 Reye syndrome.
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine. There is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This happens in less than one in a million people who get the vaccine. Symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this reaction occurs, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
Always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
Speak with your health care provider if your child had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine, or any component of the vaccine, including yeast or to latex.
There is no need to delay getting immunized because of a cold or other mild illness. If you have concerns speak with your health care provider.
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause serious disease including permanent liver damage (cirrhosis). Hepatitis B is also one of the main causes of liver cancer, which can be fatal. The hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with blood or body fluids from a person infected with the virus. You can get infected by sharing items that have blood on them, such as toothbrushes, razors, dental floss or needles used for injecting drugs. Pregnant people with hepatitis B can pass the virus to their newborn during delivery. The virus can also spread through unprotected sex with someone with hepatitis B.
Infants and young children who get infected with the hepatitis B virus often do not have symptoms, but many will stay infected for life. This is why it is important to protect your child by getting them immunized at a young age.
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