A 21-year-old member asked:
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis b?
10 doctor answers • 19 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lance Steinanswered
Specializes in Hepatology
Yes: 3 shots are needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tasleyma Sattaranswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: The Hepatitis B Vaccine is given as a 3 shot series and can be started at any age. There is also a vaccine for hepatitis a, but none for hepatitis c.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kenneth Chenganswered
Family Medicine 33 years experience
Yes: The Hepatitis B Vaccine is a safe vaccine that was developed over 20 years ago. It is a series of 3 shots given over 6 months and the shots can be started in newborns. Once you have completed the series, you will have life-long immunity. This is now a vaccination that is required of school aged children.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Cynthia Pointanswered
Specializes in Internal Medicine
Yes: Absolutely. There are several vaccines which work very well. Most children in the US should receive one of the vaccine series in their teen years. Each vaccine has 3 shots to be completed. The shots usually don't cause any serious side effects. Anyone who works in healthcare should be vaccinated, and other people at higher risk should also. This includes anyone with hepatitis C.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Cynthia Pointanswered
Specializes in Internal Medicine
Yes: Family members of someone with hepatitis b should receive the series also. Travelers who expect to be in the countries in asia for prolonged stays should also consider the vaccine. This is because the prevalence of hepatitis b is high there, and it is very contagious through blood, or sexual contact.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Diamondanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Yes: There is a safe and effective vaccine that can be given at birth and beyond that is recommended. It can be started at any age. It has been around for years.It is prevention for an otherwise untreatable infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Williamsonanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: The vaccine for hepatitis b is a three shot series you should be able to get from your physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Latisha Smithanswered
Wound care 40 years experience
Yes: Hepatitis b is caused by a virus. Like many viruses, measles, mumps, rubella for instance, an effective vaccine is available. The vaccine for hepatitis b requires 3 injections, spread out over several months to result in immunity to hep b. If the initial series of injections are not effective, then booster shots are often given.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kenneth Adleranswered
Family Medicine 42 years experience
Yes: It is a 3 shot series typically given at 0, 1 and 6 months apart.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
Yes: It is recommended that the first dose be given at birth.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
Hepatitis b vaccine/how is it given?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jason Hemminganswered
Gastroenterology 19 years experience
Shot: 3 shot series over a 6month period.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Syria
A 20-year-old male asked:
Can hepatitis b vaccine cause hepatitis b?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
No: The shot contains no living material. It is created in the lab and has no potential for causing disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
481 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Hepatitis b vaccine is wearing off, what to do?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Get a booster: If you have concerns about waning immunity, you can receive a booster dose.If you had the primary series or part of it, this will help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
What is in the hepatitis b vaccine? How does it work?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Natalie Hodgeanswered
Pediatrics 28 years experience
Proteins: It works by including one of the viral surface proteins. This causes one's immune system to react and create protective antibodies for the hepatitis b virus. It takes several of the vaccines to get the adequate amount of antibody necessary to protect from disease. Great Question!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Can the hepatitis b vaccine ever expire?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Confusing question: The material we stock at the office does have an expiration date, otherwise known as a use before date.I sense that is not your question. If you complete the series of Hepatitis B Vaccine it is thought to confer lifelong immunity unless you suffer some form of immune altering illness or treatment in the future.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 28, 2019
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$44 video appointments with $19/month membership*
*Billed $57 every 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.