What should you know about hepatitis vaccine for adults?

Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids and can affect the liver. Some people do not feel ill at first. Vaccination gives the immune system a way to recognise the virus, but it cannot treat an infection that is already established.

Your clinician may consider work, travel, household exposure, sexual health, dialysis, immune conditions and pregnancy when discussing vaccination. They can also check whether a previous course is documented. A liver function test is a different service: it helps assess liver activity rather than providing vaccine protection.

Bring your vaccine record, list of medicines and details of allergies or past vaccine reactions. Explain whether you may have been exposed to hepatitis B, because possible exposure needs prompt clinical advice and is not handled by simply booking routine vaccination. Keep each appointment record so future doses are not guessed.

For details about the vaccination visit, see Hepatitis B Vaccination. Hepatitis B explains the condition and its possible effects on the liver.

Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, throat or facial swelling, collapse or severe weakness after an injection. Seek same-day advice for a rapidly spreading rash or a reaction that is becoming more intense.

Book medical assessment for persistent fatigue, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, nausea or upper abdominal pain. These findings can arise from different illnesses, so they should be evaluated rather than used to diagnose hepatitis B at home.

Ask whether vaccination is indicated for you, whether prior doses count, whether testing is appropriate, how appointments will be recorded, and which symptoms after vaccination should prompt urgent help.