Vaccination, hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required.
All infants in the U.S. receive hep B vaccine. Two vaccines (Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are available in the US. The first dose of hep B vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit following birth. The second dose is given about 30 days after the initial dose. A booster dose is performed approximately six months later.
Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep B receive, in addition, HBIG (hep B immune globulin) for prompt protection.
Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive a hep B booster.
Adults in high-risk situations are also advised to get a hep A booster. Those in high-risk situations include healthcare workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic hep B infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, IV drug users, and recipients of repeated transfusions. Healthcare workers accidentally exposed to materials infected with hep B (such as needle sticks), and individuals with known sexual contact with hep B patients are available in the U.S.
Both vaccines (Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are highly effective and provide protection even after only one dose. However, as indicated, two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection.
Read Also:
- Vaccination, HIB
This immunization is designed to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), a bacteria responsible for a range of serious “invasive” diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction. More than 90% of all HIB infections occur in children 5 years of age or less; the peak attack rate […]
- Vaccination, infectious hepatitis
See Immunization, hepatitis A.
- Vaccination, pneumococcal pneumonia
This vaccine, which prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia, is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma) or other chronic diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys). This […]
- Vaccination, polio
The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) and IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine). OPV is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. IPV, or Inactivated Polio Vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be […]
- Vaccination, serum hepatitis
The term “serum hepatitis” is not used anymore. There are other hepatitis viruses that are transmitted by blood also. Would definitely call this Hep B in all contexts and remove this term.