Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection (Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant) helps reduce the risk of getting hepatitis B, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver. It does not treat hepatitis B once a person already has the infection. The vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle by a healthcare provider, and a full series of doses is needed for complete protection.

What is Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection

The hepatitis B vaccine reduces the risk of getting hepatitis B, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver. It does not treat hepatitis B once you have it. A healthcare provider gives this injection into a muscle.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection uses

• Reduces the risk of hepatitis B infection
• May be used for other purposes as decided by your health care provider

Benefits of Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection

• It is still possible to get hepatitis B after receiving this vaccine, but the symptoms may be less severe or not last as long
• More than 1 billion doses of the hepatitis B vaccine have been given worldwide and it is considered one of the safest and most effective vaccines ever made
• The hepatitis B vaccine provides at least 98 percent protection to infants, children, and adults who are fully immunized before being exposed to the virus

How Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection works

The vaccine works by helping your immune system learn how to fight off a future hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection dosage

This vaccine is injected into a muscle by your care team. A copy of Vaccine Information Statements will be given before each vaccination, and you should read this sheet carefully each time since it may change. Talk to your care team about use in children, since precautions apply even though it may be given to children as young as newborn. Keep all follow-up (booster) appointments as directed since it is important not to miss a dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment. You must have all shots of this vaccine series for full protection from hepatitis B infection.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection

Side effects of Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection

Common

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Pain, redness, irritation, or bruising at the injection site
• Soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site

Serious

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Burning or tingling sensation in hands or feet
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Trouble breathing
• Weakness
• Rapid heartbeat

Warnings and precautions

• You should not get the vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or have a history of hypersensitivity to yeast or other vaccine components.
• Certain medications that suppress your immune function, cancer treatments, and steroid medications may interact with this vaccine.
• If you have current hepatitis B infection or have recovered from a past infection, the vaccine series will not benefit you or clear the virus.
• Tell your care team if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Several types of the vaccine are also considered safe to give to pregnant women.
• Tell your care team if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your care team if you have kidney disease.
• Tell your care team if you have hepatitis B infection, which affects the liver.
• Inform your healthcare provider about any severe allergy to a previous hepatitis B vaccine dose.
• Follow the complete vaccine schedule for proper protection.

Storage

• This vaccine is only given by your care team. It will not be stored at home.

When to see a doctor

• Tell your care team right away if you have any serious or unusual side effects after getting this vaccine.
• Get emergency help immediately if you notice hives, swelling in your face and throat, dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, or a rapid heartbeat after vaccination, as this could be a serious allergic reaction.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Heplisav-B Vaccine
• Recombivax HB Vaccine
• Engerix-B Vaccine
• Twinrix (Hepatitis A + B Vaccine)