Vaccines, Anti-sera & Immunoglobulin

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a six month period.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:

• All infants, starting with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
• All children and adolescents younger than 19 years old who have not been vaccinated.
• People whose sex partners have hepatitis B.
• Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship.
• Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
• Men who have sexual contact with other men.
• People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment.
• People who have close household contact with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus.
• Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job.
• People with end-stage renal disease, including predialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients.
• Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons.
• Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of hepatitis B.
• People with chronic liver disease.
• People with HIV infection.
• People with diabetes 19 through 59 years old, and considered for people with diabetes 60 years or older.
• Anyone who wishes to be protected from hepatitis B virus infection.

For Children and Adolescents
All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the vaccine series by 6-18 months old. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all babies so that they will be protected from a serious but preventable disease. Babies and young children are at much greater risk for developing a chronic infection if infected, but the vaccine can prevent this.

All children and adolescents younger than 19 years old who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. "Catch-up" vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents who were never vaccinated or who did not get the entire vaccine series. Learn more about catching up on vaccines in the Who and When section. 

For Adults
Any adult who is at risk for hepatitis B virus infection or who wants to be vaccinated should talk to a health professional about getting the vaccine series.