Content Map Terms

Hepatitis B Vaccine

British Columbia Specific Information

Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause serious disease, including permanent liver damage (cirrhosis), and is also the main cause of liver cancer.

The hepatitis B vaccine provides immunity for at least 10 years and likely for a lifetime when completing the full series. There are currently no recommendations for a healthy person to receive a booster for this vaccine if they have completed the full series.

For more information on hepatitis B and the hepatitis B vaccine, visit our Hepatitis page.

You may also call 8-1-1 to speak to a registered nurse or pharmacist. Our nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and our pharmacists are available every night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

What To Think About

If you are exposed to HBV before you have received all three shots in the vaccination series, a dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) usually will prevent infection until the vaccine takes effect.

If you have already had hepatitis B and have developed protective antibodies to the virus, you do not need the vaccine because you have lifetime protection (immunity) against the infection. If you are not sure whether you have had hepatitis B, you can be tested, or you can be vaccinated without testing. The vaccine is not harmful for you if you are already immune.

If you have chronic HBV infection, the vaccine will be ineffective, although it is not harmful.

The vaccine is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How Well It Works

The hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B) gives long-term (possibly lifelong) protection from hepatitis B infection.

Side Effects

Most people who get the vaccine do not have any problems. But there may be soreness or tenderness where the shot was given or mild fever for a short time.

Even though serious allergic reactions are rare with these vaccines, call your doctor or local health unit right away if you or your child has trouble breathing, a high fever, or anything unusual after having the shot.

A child who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine should not get another dose of this vaccine. Tell your doctor or nurse if your child has had a severe reaction to any vaccine or has severe allergies.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Examples

recombinant hepatitis B vaccine

Engerix-B

Recombivax HB

tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-hep B, [called the 6-in-1])

Infanrix Hexa

Why It Is Used

Hepatitis B virus causes a liver infection that can lead to serious complications, including liver cancer. It is common in people throughout the world, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends hepatitis B immunization for all children. Pregnant women and other adults who do not have immunity and who have a high chance of exposure should be vaccinated.

For babies

Healthy babies who weigh at least 2000 g (4.4 lb) receive their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at 2 months or at birth either before going home or within 12 hours of birth if the mother has hepatitis B. When a baby receives the first dose varies by each province and territory.

Babies who are born early (premature) or who weigh less than 2000 g (4.4 lb) usually get their first hepatitis B shot before leaving the hospital or when they are 1 month old if the mother is not infected with hepatitis B.footnote 1

When the other 2 hepatitis B shots are given to babies depends on whether the mother has hepatitis B and the recommended immunization schedule in the province or territory where the baby was born. Some babies will also need hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). If you have questions about your baby's immunizations, talk with your doctor.

For children and teens

Anyone 18 years of age or younger who has not previously received the hepatitis B vaccine should get it. Children adopted from countries where HBV infection is common should be tested for hepatitis B and get shots if they are not immune.

For adults at high risk of exposure

Adults who have not received the hepatitis B vaccine series should be immunized when they have an increased risk of exposure. Job, travel, health condition, or lifestyle all may increase a person's risk of contracting hepatitis B.

People who live or work where there is risk of exposure include:

  • Health care and public safety workers who are likely to be exposed to blood or blood products.
  • Clients and staff of institutions or residential settings with known or potential HBV carriers.
  • People planning extended travel (more than 6 months) to China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and other areas where hepatitis B infection is high.

People who have health conditions that put them at high risk for exposure or a severe infection include:

  • People who have a severe kidney disease that requires them to have their blood filtered through a machine (dialysis).
  • People who have chronic liver disease.
  • People who have hemophilia and other conditions in which they need to have blood products on an ongoing basis.
  • People who had a stem cell transplant.

People whose lifestyle puts them at high risk for exposure include:

  • People who inject illegal drugs.
  • Men who have sex with men.
  • People who have had more than one sex partner in the past 6 months or who have a history of sexually transmitted infection.
  • Household contacts and sex partners of hepatitis B carriers.
  • Prison inmates.

For certain people, such as those with impaired immune systems or who are at high risk of exposure to HBV, health professionals will want to perform a blood test to make sure the vaccine worked (post-vaccination testing).

How It Works

The hepatitis B vaccine is given to protect people from getting the infection. In response to the vaccine, the body develops antibodies against hepatitis B virus (HBV). This response is known as active immunity.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given as a series of 2, 3, or 4 shots (injection) in the upper arm or leg to provide long-lasting immunity.

All babies need three doses:

  • The time between the first and second shot should be at least 1 month.
  • The time between the second and third shots should be at least 2 months; ideally, it should be 4 months or more.
  • At least 4 months should go by between the first and third shots.

Premature babies may need a fourth shot.

If the vaccination series is interrupted and the spacing between doses is longer than recommended, it is not necessary to start the series over or add more doses. The series should be completed from where it was interrupted.

A two-dose series is available for teens ages 11 to 15. The time between the first and second shot should be at least 4 months.

References

Citations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). A comprehensive immunization strategy to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in the United States, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Part 1: Immunization of infants, children, and adolescents. MMWR, 54(RR-16): 1–23. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a1.htm. [Erratum in MMWR, 55(06): 158–159. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5506a6.htm.]

Credits

Adaptation Date: 1/20/2023

Adapted By: HealthLink BC

Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC