Hepatitis B vaccine - meaning and definition
Alsohep B vaccinehep B jabhepatitis B vaccinationhep B shotHBV vaccine
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
The hepatitis B vaccine is a course of injections that gives long-lasting protection against the hepatitis B virus.
At a glance
- The hepatitis B vaccine gives long-lasting protection against the virus.
- It is given to babies in most national immunisation programmes.
- Adults at increased risk, including through sex, are also offered it.
- A full course usually involves several doses over weeks or months.
- Sexual health clinics often offer it free or at low cost.
In detail
It is given to babies in most national programmes and to adults at increased risk, including people with multiple sexual partners, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and some healthcare workers.
A full course usually involves several doses over weeks or months. Sexual health clinics often offer it free or at low cost.
In a sentence
- I had my second hepatitis B vaccine dose at the sexual health clinic.
- The nurse checked whether I had already had the hepatitis B vaccine as a baby.
Where the word comes from
Hepatitis B vaccines first became available in the early 1980s, making it one of the first vaccines to help prevent a type of cancer.
Common questions
Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?
It is routinely given to babies in most countries. Adults at increased risk are also offered it, including people with multiple sexual partners, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and some healthcare workers. A clinic can advise whether it suits you.
How many doses are needed?
A full course usually involves several doses over weeks or months. The schedule can vary, so the clinic or doctor giving it will explain.