From the Guidelines
All individuals, regardless of age, should receive the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine, especially those with risk factors for hepatitis B, as it provides long-lasting protection against HBV infection and its associated morbidity and mortality. The HBV vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth, all children and adolescents younger than 19 years who haven't been vaccinated, and adults at risk for HBV infection, including those with risk factors such as sexual exposure, percutaneous or mucosal exposure to blood, and certain medical conditions 1.
Key Groups for Vaccination
- All infants
- Persons aged <19 years
- Adults aged 19–59 years
- Adults aged ≥60 years with risk factors for hepatitis B, such as: + Persons at risk for infection by sexual exposure + Persons with current or recent injection drug use + Household contacts of persons testing positive for HBsAg + Health care and public safety personnel with reasonably anticipated risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids + Persons on maintenance dialysis + Persons with diabetes, chronic liver disease, or HIV infection ### Vaccination Schedule The standard vaccination schedule consists of three doses, with the initial dose, followed by a second dose 1 month later, and a third dose 6 months after the first, providing long-lasting protection against HBV infection, which can cause acute and chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer 1.
Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
The vaccine is highly effective and has an excellent safety profile with minimal side effects, making it a crucial preventive measure against HBV infection 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
For persons who refuse Hepatitis B Vaccine, a second dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) should be given 1 month after the first dose Prophylaxis of Infants Born to HBsAg and HBeAg Positive Mothers Efficacy of prophylactic Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) in infants at risk depends on administering Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) on the day of birth. Hepatitis B Vaccine should be administered IM in three doses of 0. 5 mL of vaccine (10 μg) each. The first dose should be given within 7 days of birth and may be given concurrently with Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) but at a separate site. All susceptible persons whose sex partners have acute hepatitis B infection should receive a single dose of HBIG (0. 06 mL/kg) and should begin the hepatitis B vaccine series Prophylactic treatment with a 0. 5 mL dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (Human) and hepatitis B vaccine is indicated for infants <12 months of age who have been exposed to a primary care-giver who has acute hepatitis B. If the index patient becomes an HBV carrier, all household contacts should receive hepatitis B vaccine.
The following individuals should receive the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine:
- Infants born to HBsAg and HBeAg positive mothers: within 7 days of birth
- Susceptible persons whose sex partners have acute hepatitis B infection: as soon as possible, within 14 days of last sexual contact
- Infants <12 months of age exposed to a primary care-giver with acute hepatitis B: as soon as possible
- Household contacts of persons who become HBV carriers: as soon as possible 2
From the Research
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Vaccine Recipients
The HBV vaccine is recommended for various groups of people, including:
- All unvaccinated adults at risk for infection due to sexual, percutaneous, or mucosal exposure 3
- Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for blood exposure 3
- Adults with chronic liver disease, end-stage renal disease, or HIV infection 3
- Travelers to HBV-endemic regions 3
- Adults seeking protection from HBV infection 3
- Infants born to mothers with chronic HBV infection, who should receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the HBV vaccine series 4
- Individuals who are at higher risk, such as those with lifestyle or environmental, medical, and occupational situations that place them at risk 5, 6, 7
Special Considerations
- The vaccine is most effective when administered at a young age, ideally during childhood, in accordance with national vaccination policies 6
- Booster doses may be necessary to maintain adequate antibody levels, particularly for individuals who received the primary series at birth 5
- The HBV vaccine can be administered to pregnant women and is recommended for those at risk for infection 3
- Individuals who have received the HBV vaccine should be tested for antibody levels to ensure adequate protection 5, 3