Written by Hannah Kingston - Updated on October 19, 2021
Medically reviewed by Dr Andrea Pinto Lopez, M.D.

The hepatitis B vaccine is a very effective method to prevent hepatitis B infections. This vaccine is recommended practically from birth and results in more than 95 percent protection against the disease.

The hepatitis B vaccine is known as the first “anti-cancer” vaccine because it prevents the transmission of the hepatitis B virus which can cause liver cancer in some cases.

There are different brands of hepatitis B vaccine available, and they’re all very effective against the virus. The first dose is recommended within 24 hours of a baby’s birth, and depending on the brand, two or three additional doses are required after that. The vaccine can also be applied later on in life if it wasn’t applied after birth.

It’s also recommended that some adults at high risk of hepatitis B get vaccinated again later on in life. This includes healthcare workers, people who live with others who have hepatitis B, injected drug users, and patients with certain chronic diseases.

If you haven’t been vaccinated, it is strongly recommended that you consider getting vaccinated to offer better protection against the virus.

It is important to note that if you have hepatitis B, or are HBsAG positive, receiving the vaccine will not help you to clear the virus, which is why it is so important to get vaccinated. The only way to confirm if you have hepatitis B is to get tested.

Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and children up to age 18 years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC states that every person may be at some risk for a hepatitis B infection during their lifetime, so everyone should get vaccinated.

There are also groups that the CDC highly recommends receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, including:

All infants, beginning at birth
All children aged <19 years who have not been vaccinated previously
Susceptible sexual partners of hepatitis B-positive persons
Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship (e.g., >one sex partner during the previous six months)
Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease
Men who have sex with men
Injection drug users
Susceptible household contacts of hepatitis B-positive persons
Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood
Persons with end-stage renal disease, including pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients
Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
Travelers to and families adopting from countries where hepatitis B is common (e.g. Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
Persons with chronic liver disease, other than hepatitis B (e.g. cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, etc.)
Persons with hepatitis C infection
Persons with HIV infection
Adults with diabetes aged 19 through 59 years (clinicians can decide whether or not to vaccinate their diabetic patients ≥60 years)
All other persons seeking protection from HBV infection — acknowledgment of a specific risk factor is not a requirement for vaccination

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How is hepatitis B transmitted?

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.

The CDC states that people may become infected via:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment
Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors, or medical equipment (like a glucose monitor) with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to an infected person’s blood through needlesticks or other sharp instruments

How often do you need to be vaccinated for hepatitis B?

You only need to get vaccinated once in a lifetime, and this will offer you protection for life.

The vaccine can be given in 2-3 doses, depending on the age in which you receive your vaccination.

Booster doses are not recommended for people with normal immune status who have been vaccinated.

Only certain people should receive a booster dose in specific situations. For hemodialysis patients, a booster dose may need to be administered.

For other immunocompromised people such as those living with HIV, hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients, and people receiving chemotherapy, the need for booster doses has not been determined.

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How long does the hepatitis B vaccine last for?

30 years, according to the Immunization Action Coalition.

“Studies indicate that immunologic memory remains intact for at least 30 years among healthy people who initiated hepatitis B vaccination at >6 months of age.”

The vaccine ensures long-term protection against clinical illness and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

FAQs

Is it safe to be around someone with hepatitis B?

If you understand the risks of hepatitis B transmission, it is safe to be around someone with hepatitis B. The most important thing to know is that there are associated risks, but if you understand those risks, you should feel perfectly safe around someone who has hepatitis.

Here are some of precautions you can take to stay safe, summarised from the Mayo Clinic guidelines:

Don’t have unprotected sex with anyone without knowing their sexual health status
Use a condom every time you have sex
Don’t use or share needles for drug use
Be cautious if you are considering body piercing or tattoos, always ensure that safe health standards are in place
If you have not been vaccinated for hepatitis B, enquire with your doctor
If you’re going abroad, and you know that hepatitis B is prevalent in the location where you’re travelling, ask your doctor about whether or not you should get vaccinated

Can you get hepatitis B from kissing?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, hepatitis B is not spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging, or breastfeeding. Although the virus can be found in saliva, it is not believed to be spread through kissing or sharing utensils.

**How long is hepatitis B contagious? **

Hepatitis B is contagious for as long as a person is infected with the virus. Someone who is living with hepatitis B is highly contagious, even when they are not experiencing symptoms.

The symptoms of hepatitis can take up to three months to appear, and they can last anywhere between 2-12 weeks. It is hugely important that someone who has been infected with the virus gets treated as soon as possible to prevent further transmission.

Can a vaccinated person get hepatitis B?

Once you are fully vaccinated against hepatitis B, your risk of getting the disease is extremely low with an effectiveness rate of 98 to 100 percent. But it’s important to seek medical attention if you ever exhibit symptoms of hepatitis, since you could still get a different type of hepatitis.

Written by Hannah Kingston on June 4, 2021

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