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All about the Hepatitis B Vaccine: Purpose, Dosage & Side Effects

Dr. BhavikaJun 26, 2024

Hepatitis B is a sneaky virus that can quietly linger in your body for a long time without showing any symptoms. However, if left untreated, it can lead to serious liver damage and even be fatal.

Many people who have Hepatitis B may not even realize it because the symptoms may not be obvious. It can be spread through various body fluids, so it's important to be cautious when it comes to sexual contact, sharing needles, and blood transfusions.

The good news is that there is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B. This vaccine is a key tool in protecting against the highly contagious virus that causes Hepatitis B.

Administered as a series of shots, starting from early in life, the vaccine helps the body build immunity to the virus. By stimulating the production of antibodies, the vaccine has been successful in reducing the number of Hepatitis B cases.

Dig deeper into this article to discover in-depth details about this vaccine, including its dosage and side effects.

Hepatitis

Contents

What is Hepatitis B?
How is Hepatitis B different from other Hepatitis viruses?
How to prevent Hepatitis B infections
How does the Hepatitis B vaccine work?
The Process of Making the Hepatitis B Vaccine
Who should take the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Who should not take the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Schedule of the Hepatitis B vaccine
What are the side effects of the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Interactions with Other Medications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus that affects the liver. It can result in acute and chronic liver disease, leading to liver cirrhosis and even cancer. It is transmitted by exposure to infected blood & other bodily fluids. An estimated 3.8% of the global population (almost 300 million people) have chronic Hepatitis B as of 2019. An infected individual may be completely free of symptoms. The regular symptoms of an acute viral hepatitis infection include:

Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Dark coloured urine
Generalised body pain & discomfort
Mild fever
Jaundice

This aspect of the disease is usually self-limiting, needing only supportive treatment; meaning getting plenty of rest and fluids. If there is a lot of discomfort, doctors may prescribe medications.

If you have an acute infection, symptoms of liver disease could mean a more serious reaction. While some people may naturally get rid of the HBV virus, it's important to consult a healthcare provider if you show signs of liver disease.

If the infection lasts for more than 6 months, it is termed chronic hepatitis B. Most people with chronic hepatitis B do not exhibit any symptoms, but there is a significantly higher risk of progression of the disease to liver cirrhosis. This is a condition where the liver is damaged, and healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue leading to liver failure. Apart from end-stage liver disease, chronic Hepatitis B can also result in liver cancer. These individuals require targeted antiviral treatment, which is aimed at preventing this progress.

Considering the severity and prevalence of the disease, it is no surprise that medical professionals take all the necessary steps to educate people about ways to avoid getting infected.

How is Hepatitis B different from other Hepatitis viruses?

Some distinguishing factors of Hepatitis B from other forms of Hepatitis viruses are as follows:

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization for all children soon after birth.
Children are disproportionately affected by Hepatitis B, with 30% of those under 6 developing chronic infections compared to only 5% of infected adults.
Babies can be infected with Hepatitis B at birth through bodily fluids from their birthing parents.
Most infants infected with the virus develop chronic infections.
While chronic Hepatitis B can be managed with antiviral medications, it is not curable.
Patients will need to take special care of their liver for life.

How to prevent Hepatitis B infections

Now that we know the risks associated with Hepatitis B, let’s get to the good news. The transmission of this disease is almost entirely preventable by vaccination.

The Hepatitis B vaccine, first available in 1982, is 98 to 100% successful in preventing an infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate viral Hepatitis by the year 2030 and has provided guidelines that have been adopted in several countries. Vaccination is one of the most important and efficient ways to decrease the burden of this disease. Taking the vaccine is especially important for people who are at high risk of developing the infection.

How does the Hepatitis B vaccine work?

The Hepatitis B vaccine works by exposing the body’s immune system to the viral components without causing the disease. This allows the body to recognise, target, and eliminate the actual virus if it comes in contact with it. Only one part of the virus is isolated and cultivated to prepare the vaccine.

One of the ways by which immunity is created is by the production of antibodies. Antibodies are chemical components that are produced by the immune system which act against the disease and eliminate it. Checking the levels of these antibodies is a good way to know the immune status after taking the vaccine. This helps in understanding if the vaccine was effective or not.

The Process of Making the Hepatitis B Vaccine

Individuals develop protection against hepatitis B virus infection by producing an immune response to a specific protein found on the virus's surface. This protein is overproduced when the virus replicates in the liver.

To create the hepatitis B vaccine, scientists extract the gene responsible for producing this surface protein and insert it into yeast cells. These yeast cells can then generate large quantities of the protein, which is later used to manufacture the vaccine.

Administering this surface protein through the vaccine prompts children's immune systems to produce a protective response against hepatitis B virus infection.

In the 1980s, scientists created the first hepatitis B vaccine by extracting the surface protein from the virus found in infected individuals' blood. There was a concern about potential contamination with other viruses like HIV due to the use of blood.

However, rigorous chemical treatments were applied to the blood used for the vaccine production, ensuring that any potential viruses were deactivated. As a result, no cases of HIV transmission through the hepatitis B vaccine have ever been reported.

Nowadays, the vaccine is developed in laboratories, eliminating the risk of contamination with other viruses.

Who should take the Hepatitis B vaccine?

As such, it is recommended that everyone be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. The following groups are especially recommended to get vaccinated at the earliest as they are at higher risk of exposure to infection.

People whose partners have hepatitis B
Healthcare workers
Public safety and hygiene workers
People who have sexual contact with multiple people
People seeking evaluation or treatment for STIs
Patients who receive dialysis
People who use/ have recently used injectable drugs
People living with HIV/ Hepatitis C/Chronic Liver disease
Diabetic patients at the discretion of their doctors
Individuals who are in prison/ jail

This vaccine is safe for use in individuals with compromised immune systems. It is also safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

WHO recommends vaccination for all age groups. It is recommended for:

All newborns within 24 hours of life
All children & adolescents below the age of 19 with no prior history of hepatitis vaccination
All adults up to the age of 60
All adults over the age of 60 with risk factors for hepatitis B infection (but it can also be given to those in this age group without established risk factors)

Who should not take the Hepatitis B Vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is considered safe as it does not contain a live virus, but there are instances where doctors may recommend against receiving it. One should avoid getting the HBV vaccine if they:

have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose
have a known hypersensitivity to yeast or other components of the vaccine.

Schedule of the Hepatitis B vaccine

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics recommends that in newborns, the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine should be administered immediately after birth or within 24 hours. The second and third doses are at 6 and 14 weeks respectively. In case the birth dose is missed, three doses of the vaccine at 6, 10, and 14 weeks are recommended.

The Hepatitis B vaccine affords lifetime protection once administered. The routine assessment of antibodies in the blood after vaccination is not recommended. However, if you are a member of a high-risk group, your doctor may recommend that you measure the antibody levels in your blood to make sure you remain protected by the vaccine.

What are the side effects of the Hepatitis B vaccine?

The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, with minimal side effects. The commonest side effect is pain and mild swelling at the vaccination site, which resolves by itself. As with any medication or vaccine, there is a very minimal chance of a serious allergic reaction and other serious injuries.

Inform your doctor or healthcare provider if you have pre-existing life-threatening allergies, or have a history of an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the hepatitis B vaccine or other vaccines. Avoid taking the vaccine if you are undergoing treatment for any serious condition; the vaccine can be taken safely once your treatment is complete.

Interactions with Other Medications

Some medicines that can interact with the hepatitis B vaccine are as follows:

Medications that can suppress your immune system, such as adalimumab, anakinra, and infliximab
Medications used to treat cancer
Steroid medications like prednisone or cortisone

Please note that this list may not cover all possible interactions. Be sure to provide your healthcare provider with a comprehensive list of medications, herbs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements you are taking. Also, inform them if you smoke, consume alcohol, or use illegal substances, as certain items may interact with your vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a list of common questions and answers related to Hepatitis B.

Can Hepatitis B be prevented?

Hepatitis B is a condition that can be easily prevented by timely vaccination, safe sex practices, careful screening of blood products, and following universal precautions.

Is the Hepatitis B vaccine safe?

The Hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective method to protect yourself from hepatitis infections. It is especially beneficial to people who are at high risk of contracting the infection.

How can I know about the full course of the vaccines?

Talk to your doctor for more information regarding the vaccine and the disease, and make sure to get the full course of the vaccines.

How long can someone be contagious with hepatitis B?

If you have an active virus in your body, you are contagious. The duration of contagion depends on whether you have an acute or chronic infection. Acute infections can last from a few weeks to six months, during which time you are contagious. Chronic infections, on the other hand, typically last for life, making you contagious for that entire duration.

What is the meaning of reactivated hepatitis B?

After successfully fighting off a hepatitis B infection, your immune system may become weakened later in life, allowing the virus to become active again. This reactivation can be temporary or long-lasting and is more likely to happen in individuals with weakened immune systems. In some cases, reactivated hepatitis B can even lead to acute liver failure.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.