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​Hepatitis B Vaccination

About the vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against hepatitis B. The vaccination course can be administered in the workplace, and is typically 3 vaccinations given over a 6-month period. A blood test will be required to check immunity. A Hepatitis booster should be given after 5 years. 

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What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver. It's spread through blood, and body fluids. For most people, hepatitis B is short term and can also be called acute. Acute hepatitis B lasts less than six months. But for others, the infection lasts more than six months and is described as chronic. Chronic hepatitis B raises the risk of liver failure, liver cancer and serious scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis. Vaccination against hepatitis B helps reduce your chances of getting infected.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:
• feeling sick
• being sick
• lack of appetite
• flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, general aches and pains, and headaches
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).


However, many people do not realise they have been infected with the virus because the symptoms may not develop immediately, or even at all. It takes between 40 and 160 days for any symptoms to develop after exposure to the virus.

Business meeting
Who Should Consider the Hepatitis B Vaccination?

Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for individuals whose occupations increase their risk of exposure to the virus.

These high-risk groups include:‍

  • Doctors

  • Nurses

  • Dental staff

  • Care home workers

  • Beauticians

  • Tattooists

  • Body piercers

  • Prison workers

  • Emergency service staff

  • Morticians

  • Sewage workers

  • Waste disposal and recycling staff.​

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