Hepatitis B is a common disease in the United States. The good news is that the hepatitis B vaccine gives more than 90% protection to people who get the vaccine.
There are 2 vaccines that protect against hepatitis B:
The hepatitis B vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis B
The hepatitis A and B combination vaccine protects adults from both hepatitis B and hepatitis A
Why is the hepatitis B vaccine important?
Because of the vaccine, cases of acute (short-term) hepatitis B have decreased by a lot in the United States. But chronic (long-term) hepatitis B is still common — up to 2.2 million people in the United States have it. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver problems — and even death.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent hepatitis B.
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by a virus. There are 2 types of hepatitis B:
Acute (short-term) hepatitis B
Chronic (long-term) hepatitis B
Many children who get acute hepatitis B don't have any symptoms, but most adults do. Symptoms may include:
Pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach
Acute hepatitis B symptoms usually last a few weeks — but they can last as long as 6 months.
If the acute hepatitis B infection does not go away after 6 months, it's considered a chronic hepatitis B infection. Most people who have chronic hepatitis B don't have symptoms at first. But chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong illness that can lead to serious — and possibly deadly — liver problems, like:
Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
Hepatitis B spreads through blood, semen, or other body fluids. Hepatitis B can spread from mother to child during birth — and when someone:
Has sex with a person who has hepatitis B
Shares drug needles with a person who has hepatitis B
Shares a razor or toothbrush with a person who has hepatitis B
Touches the blood or open sores of a person who has hepatitis B
Learn more about hepatitis B.
Who needs to get the hepatitis B vaccine?
All children need to get the hepatitis B vaccine — and some adults may need it, too.
All children need to get the hepatitis B vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule.
Birth for the first dose
1 through 2 months for the second dose
6 through 18 months for the third dose
Children and teens younger than 19 years who did not get the hepatitis B vaccine can still get vaccinated. Talk with your child's doctor about a catch-up shot.
Adults at increased risk for hepatitis B
Adults who are at risk for hepatitis B can also get vaccinated. The vaccine is given in 3 doses. The second dose is given 1 month after the first dose, followed by a third dose 6 months after the second dose.
You may be at risk for hepatitis B if you:
Have sex or live with someone who has hepatitis B
Have sex with more than 1 partner
Have an STD (sexually transmitted disease)
Use drugs with needles
Could come into contact with blood at work (like in health care)
Get hemodialysis treatment for kidney problems
Travel to countries where hepatitis B is common
If you're age 18 and older and at risk for both hepatitis B and hepatitis A, you may be able to get a combination vaccine that protects against both diseases. You may be at risk for both diseases if you:
Are traveling to certain countries where hepatitis B is common
Talk with your doctor about how to protect your family from hepatitis B.
Who should not get the hepatitis B vaccine?
Some people should not get the hepatitis B vaccine — or may need to wait to get it. Be sure to tell your doctor before getting vaccinated if you:
What are the side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine?
Serious side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine are very rare.
Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the hepatitis B vaccine could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting the hepatitis B vaccine is much safer than getting hepatitis B. Learn more about vaccine side effects.
Where can I get more information about the hepatitis B vaccine?
Read the VIS for the hepatitis B vaccine.
Find the VIS for the hepatitis B vaccine in other languages.