What should you know about vaccine against hepatitis b?

Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and certain body fluids, including during sexual contact or from parent to baby around birth. It can cause a short illness or continue for a long time and damage the liver. Vaccination trains the immune system to recognise the virus before exposure.

The recommendation may depend on age, occupation, household or sexual exposure, travel, dialysis, liver disease, or plans for pregnancy. A vaccine does not clear an existing infection. People with possible exposure may need prompt medical assessment, testing, and additional prevention advice.

Ask a healthcare professional whether you need a routine, catch-up, accelerated, or exposure-related vaccination plan. Share your vaccination record, pregnancy status, immune conditions, allergies, and work or household risks. Complete the schedule advised by the clinic and keep records of each dose.

If you have a possible exposure, do not wait for symptoms before seeking advice. Testing may include blood tests, and a liver function test can help assess liver health when a clinician considers it appropriate. Avoid sharing razors or toothbrushes and use barrier protection until advice is available.

Seek prompt care after a possible blood or body-fluid exposure, especially if a needle was involved or the source may have hepatitis B. Arrange medical review for yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, severe fatigue, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort. Urgent help is needed for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, or breathing difficulty. After vaccination, emergency symptoms include facial swelling, wheezing, collapse, or widespread hives.

Ask whether your work, household, sexual, travel, or medical history makes vaccination advisable. Confirm the dose schedule, whether testing is needed after exposure or vaccination, how to protect close contacts, and which liver symptoms require rapid assessment.