VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT
Many Vaccine Information Statements areavailable in Spanish and other languages.
See www.immunize.org/vis

Hepatitis B Vaccine:

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están
disponibles en español y en muchos otros
idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

What You Need to Know1

Why get vaccinated?

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause mildillness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a serious,
lifelong illness.
Acute hepatitis B infection is a short-term illness
that can lead to fever, fatigue, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes,dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements), andpain in the muscles, joints, and stomach.
Chronic hepatitis B infection is a long-term
illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus
remains in a person’s body. Most people who go
on to develop chronic hepatitis B do not havesymptoms, but it is still very serious and can leadto liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death.
Chronically-infected people can spread hepatitis B
virus to others, even if they do not feel or look sickthemselves.

2Hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as 2, 3, or 4 shots.
Infants should get their first dose of hepatitis B
vaccine at birth and will usually complete the series
at 6 months of age (sometimes it will take longer
than 6 months to complete the series).
Children and adolescents younger than 19 years ofage who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also
be vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or otherbody fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters
the body of a person who is not infected. People canbecome infected through:Birth (if a mother has hepatitis B, her baby canbecome infected)
Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes withan infected person
Contact with the blood or open sores of an infectedperson
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection
equipment
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp
instruments

Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for certainunvaccinated adults:
People whose sex partners have hepatitis B
Sexually active persons who are not in a long-termmonogamous relationshipPersons seeking evaluation or treatment for asexually transmitted diseaseMen who have sexual contact with other men
People who share needles, syringes, or other druginjection equipment
People who have household contact with someone
infected with the hepatitis B virus
Health care and public safety workers at risk for
exposure to blood or body fluids
Residents and staff of facilities for developmentallydisabled personsPersons in correctional facilities
Victims of sexual assault or abuse
Travelers to regions with increased rates ofhepatitis B
People with chronic liver disease, kidney disease,
HIV infection, infection with hepatitis C, ordiabetes
Anyone who wants to be protected from hepatitis B

Most people who are vaccinated with hepatitis B
vaccine are immune for life.

Hepatitis B vaccine may be given at the same time asother vaccines.

U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention alk with your health careTprovider

National Vaccine Injury
6	TheCompensation Program

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting thevaccine:Has had an allergic reaction after a previous doseof hepatitis B vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program (VICP) is a federal program that wascreated to compensate people who may have been
injured by certain vaccines. Visit the VICP website
at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or call
1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program andabout filing a claim. There is a time limit to file aclaim for compensation.

3

In some cases, your health care provider may decideto postpone hepatitis B vaccination to a future visit.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may bevaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill
should usually wait until they recover before getting
hepatitis B vaccine.
Your health care provider can give you more
information.

4

Risks of a vaccine reaction

7

How can I learn more?

Ask your healthcare provider.
Call your local or state health department.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC):--Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or--Visit CDC’s www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Soreness where the shot is given or fever canhappen after hepatitis B vaccine.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures,
including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel
dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chanceof a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, otherserious injury, or death.

if there is a serious
5	Whatproblem?
An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinatedperson leaves the clinic. If you see signs of asevere allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face
and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat,dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person
to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your healthcare provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your
health care provider will usually file this report, or
you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website atwww.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS
is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do notgive medical advice.

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Office use only

8/15/2019|42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26