What should you know about a hepatitis B booster dose?

A booster is an additional vaccine dose after an earlier course. It is not automatically needed for every person who completed vaccination. A clinician may review it for people with continuing occupational or household exposure, some immune conditions, or a documented low response when protection is especially important. The decision depends on the original vaccine record and the person's current circumstances.

Bring your vaccination record and mention work involving blood, dialysis, immune-suppressing medicines, or a household or sexual contact with hepatitis B. Do not restart a course on your own after a missed appointment; a clinician can decide how to continue. Read more about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/) and [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/).

Arrange prompt advice after a possible blood or sexual exposure rather than waiting for a routine booster appointment. Seek assessment if you develop yellowing of the skin, [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), nausea, upper-abdominal discomfort, or unusual tiredness. Urgent care is needed for confusion, severe vomiting, or difficulty staying awake.

Ask whether your previous course is documented as complete, whether a blood test is useful, and what exposure risk you have now. Ask how soon protection is expected and what to do if another exposure occurs.