It is given at birth to two months of age. It is often given in the hospital before the child goes home. Usually, there is no redness or swelling. Lumps do occur occasionally, but they are temporary. They usually go away without treatment.
Local reactions are of short duration and usually last only a day or two, even without treatment.
It is true most hepatitis B cases in the U.S. are spread by sexual contact, but close contact with a household member can also spread the virus without sexual contact through small, undetected exposures to blood, like to a toothbrush or glass. Also, any blood contact with an infected person can transmit the virus. The point is that even blood contact in daycare or on a playground could potentially spread the virus. Sports, horsing around, fights involving blood or any means of blood exposure could potentially transmit the virus. We strongly encourage universal precautions when in contact with blood or bodily fluids.