Hepatitis B
What is it?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is spread through blood and bodily fluids. HBV stays alive in the environment for at least seven days. It can ‘live’ on inanimate objects. Most people with hepatitis B have few or no symptoms. Because they may not know they are sick, they can easily spread hepatitis B to unvaccinated people. Pregnant people can spread it to their newborns during the birthing process. Hepatitis b symptoms include tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellow skin). Thankfully, there’s a vaccine to protect against hepatitis B.
Why is the vaccine important?
Nearly all newborns and 1 in 3 children who are infected with hepatitis before age 6 develop chronic hepatitis. The younger a person is, the more likely they are to develop chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis damages the liver. It can lead to cirrhosis (liver scarring), liver cancer, liver failure, and death.
Before the hepatitis B vaccine, about 16,000 children under age 10 were infected with HBV every year in the U.S.
Progress
The U.S. started routinely recommending childhood HBV vaccination in 1991. Since then, the rate of new HBV infections has decreased. In just 10 years, rates dropped by 68% among children.
Vaccine Recommendations
All children should receive 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. The first dose should be given at birth. They should complete the vaccine series by age 18 months. Older children and adolescents who have not been vaccinated before should receive a hepatitis B vaccine. Anyone else who wants protection against hepatitis B may also get vaccinated.
Parents and caregivers may wonder why the vaccine is given to babies when most won't be exposed to HBV for many years. There are a number of reasons why we vaccinate at birth:
- Completing the vaccine series on time gives your child decades-long protection against the disease.
- Babies and young children are at very high risk of developing chronic HBV infection. Up to 2.2 million people in the U.S. are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus. Chronic infection can lead to liver disease or liver cancer later in life.
- Many children were impacted by HBV each year before vaccination. The vaccine protects children before they are exposed.
Side Effects
Vaccines, like any medicine, can cause side effects (also known as "adverse reactions"). Most side effects are mild and go away within a few days. Common side effects include fever, headache, or body aches. They can also include redness where the shot was given and tiredness. Side effects are normal. They can even be a good sign that the immune system is working to build antibodies that will fight off future infections!
For the hepatitis B vaccine, side effects may also include tiredness, fussiness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, crying, and vomiting.
Remember, vaccines are continuously studied. They are also closely monitored for safety. Research continues to show that vaccines are safe, and the benefits outweigh the risks. The risk of a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine is rare (about 1 in 1 million). The choice not to vaccinate is ultimately more risky. Not vaccinating may lead to catching a potentially deadly disease.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about vaccine side effects. In the event of a serious allergic reaction, call 9-1-1.
