Hepatitis B vaccine - About the hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B infection in pregnant women may become severe for the mother and may cause a long- lasting infection for the baby, so it’s really important that pregnant women who are at high risk of hepatitis B infection get vaccinated.

There is no evidence of any risk from vaccinating pregnant or breastfeeding women against hepatitis B, as it is an inactivated (killed) vaccine.

During pregnancy, all women are offered screening for hepatitis B. Babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B need to be given extra doses of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, at four weeks, and at 12 months.

Some mothers infected with hepatitis B are considered especially high risk because they are highly infectious. Babies born to these high-risk mothers should receive an injection of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) at birth. HBIG is made from blood and contains antibodies to hepatitis B. It gives fast protection but is not long-lasting. These babies will also need a hepatitis B vaccination to give them longer-term protection.

All babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B should have a blood test at 12 months to check if they have become infected with hepatitis B.

Everyone who is in a high-risk group is also offered the hepatitis B vaccine. These include the following.

• People who have chronic kidney disease (stage 4 and 5, including haemodialysis)
• People who have chronic liver disease (for instance, those who have severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis of any cause, or have milder liver disease and may share risk factors for being infected with hepatitis B, such as people with chronic hepatitis C)
• People who receive regular blood or blood products (for example, people with haemophilia, thalassaemia or other chronic anaemia), or their carers who give these products
• People who inject drugs
• Sexual partners, children or other close family or household contacts of people who inject drugs
• People who change sexual partners frequently, are men who have sex with men or sex workers
• Household, close family or sexual contacts of a person with hepatitis B infection
• Members of a family adopting a child from a country with high or medium levels of hepatitis B infection
• Close family members of, or anyone who shares a household with, short-term foster carers who receive emergency placements
• Close family members of, or anyone who shares a household with, permanent foster carers who accept a child known to be infected with hepatitis B
• Inmates of prisons in the UK, including if on remand
• People who live in accommodation for those with learning disabilities
• Adults or children attending day care, schools and centres for those with learning disabilities and assessed as being at regular risk of infection through the skin (such as through biting or being bitten)
• People who are at increased risk of hepatitis B because of their job
• People who are travelling to countries that have high levels of hepatitis B

GP practices and sexual-health clinics usually provide the hepatitis B vaccination free of charge if you are in an at-risk group. For babies born to high-risk mothers, their first dose is likely to be offered by a midwife or doctor at the hospital where they are born.  If your job puts you at risk of hepatitis B infection, it is your employer’s responsibility to arrange a vaccination for you. If you are travelling to a high-risk country, your GP may be able to give you the vaccine or you may need to go to a travel health clinic (the cost of the vaccine may not be covered by the NHS).

Hepatitis B vaccines are usually well tolerated. The most common side effects are soreness and redness at the site of the injection.

Other reactions are rare. For more information on common and rare side effects, see the following:

• • NHS 111 Wales – Vaccinations

• • Engerix B® 10 micrograms/0.5ml, Engerix B® 20 micrograms/1ml

• • HBvaxPRO® 5 micrograms/0.5ml, HBvaxPRO® 10 micrograms/1ml, HBvaxPRO® 40 micrograms/1ml (for kidney patients)

• • Fendrix

• • Infant 6-in-1 vaccine: Infanrix hexa , Vaxselis

• • Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine: Ambirix, Twinrix Adult Vaccine, Twinrix Paediatric

If you are concerned about symptoms, call NHS 111 Wales. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online at Yellow Card or by calling the Yellow Card scheme hotline on 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).  

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness from hepatitis B. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, even if you or your child are vaccinated.

For more information about hepatitis B visit:

• NHS 111 Wales – Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis B – British Liver Trust