Hepatitis B is a serious disease that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause acute (short-term) illness leading to loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, tiredness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and pain in muscles, joints, and stomach. Acute illness is more common among adults. Chronic infection is more common among infants and children than among adults. Chronic (long-term) infection can be very serious, and often leads to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death.

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as a series of 3 shots. This vaccine series gives long-term protection from HBV infection, possibly lifelong.

All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and should have completed the vaccine series by 6 through 18 months of age. Children and adolescents through 18 years of age who did not get the vaccine when they were younger should also be vaccinated.

All unvaccinated adults at risk for HBV infection should be vaccinated. This includes sex partners of people infected with HBV, men who have sex with men, people who inject street drugs, people with more than one sex partner, people with chronic liver or kidney disease, people with jobs that expose them to human blood, household contacts of people infected with HBV, residents and staff in institutions for the developmentally disabled, kidney dialysis patients, people who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common, and people with HIV infection.

Anyone else who wants to be protected from HBV infection may be vaccinated. Contact the pharmacy to arrange for your immunization.

Reference: CDC