CDC VACCINATION INFORMATION ABOUT HEPTATITIS B VIRUS

About the Disease

Risks of the Disease

Hepatitis B is a serious disease. The first stage of it may lead to:

• loss of desire to eat
• feeling tired
• pains in muscles, joints, or stomach
• diarrhea or vomiting
• yellow skin or eyes
• death

Long-lasting infection with hepatitis B virus may:

• destroy the liver (cirrhosis)
• lead to liver cancer
• cause death

Each year in the U.S.:

• 150,000 people get hepatitis B
• More than 11,000 people have to stay in the hospital for care
• 4,000 to 5,000 people die from hepatitis B

How is it spread?

Hepatitis B virus is carried in the blood and body fluids of an infected person. It can pass through tiny breaks in the skin, mouth, vagina, or penis. A person can get infected in several ways, such as:

• during birth when the infected mother passes the virus to her baby
• by having sex with an infected person
• by being stuck with a used needle
• by sharing personal items, such as a razor or toothbrush

People can spread hepatitis B virus without even knowing they have it.

About the Vaccine

Benefits of the Vaccine

Vaccination is the best way to protect against hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule

Most people should get three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. If you miss a dose or get behind schedule, get the next dose as soon as you can. There is no need to start over.

Other vaccines may be given at the same time as hepatitis B vaccine.

Age for Hepatitis B Vaccine

Who should get hepatitis B vaccine?

1. Most infants
2. Children 10 years of age and younger whose parents are from parts of the world where hepatitis B is common
3. Pre-teens and teens who did not get the vaccine already
4. Adults at risk

Ask your doctor or nurse if you should get the vaccine.

Tell your doctor or nurse if the person getting the vaccine:

• ever had a serious allergic reaction to:
  • hepatitis B vaccine
  • common baker's yeast
• currently has a moderate or severe illness

If you are not sure, ask your doctor or nurse.

What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B is one of the safest vaccines.

As with any medicine, there is a very small risk that serious problems, even death, could occur after getting a vaccine.

Getting the disease is much more likely to cause serious illness than getting the vaccine.

MILD PROBLEMS

• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• mild to moderate fever

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin) may be used to reduce fever and pain.

SEVERE PROBLEMS

• serious allergic reaction is very rare

What to do if there is a serious reaction:

• Call a doctor or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form or call: 1 (800) 822-7967 (toll-free).

If you want to learn more, ask your doctor or nurse. She/he can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.

About Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG)

Benefits: HBIG protects from hepatitis B virus infection for 1-3 months.

Schedule: HBIG is given with the first hepatitis B vaccine dose to people who have recently been exposed to the hepatitis B virus.

Who should get HBIG:

• Newborns of women infected with hepatitis B virus
• Infants who never got the vaccine and whose parent or caregiver has hepatitis B
• People recently exposed to blood or body fluids that may contain hepatitis B virus
• People who recently had sex with someone with hepatitis B

Risks: swelling, hives, severe allergic reaction.

Source:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control