Hepatitis B Vaccine

About this service

ENGERIX®-B (Adult presentation: 20 mcg/1 mL, Pediatric presentation: 10 mcg/0.5 mL) ➤ What is hepatitis B infection? Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause serious disease including permanent liver damage (cirrhosis). Hepatitis B is also one of the main causes of liver cancer, which can be fatal. Hepatitis B virus is spread from one infected person to another by contact with blood or body fluids. This includes an accidental or intentional poke with a used needle, being splashed in the mouth, nose, or eyes with infected blood, being bitten by an infected person, sharing items that may have blood on them such as a toothbrush, dental floss, or razor, and by having unprotected sex with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus. Mothers who are infected with the hepatitis B virus can pass the virus to their newborn babies during delivery. After the virus enters your body, it usually takes 2 to 3 months to develop symptoms or signs of illness. Symptoms of hepatitis B may include fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Many people who get hepatitis B show no symptoms and may not know they have the disease. Whether there are signs of illness or not, you can pass the virus on to others. ➤ Who should get the vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine is provided free to babies as part of their routine immunizations. It is usually combined with other childhood vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. People born in 1980 or later who have never received the hepatitis B vaccine or have not received the recommended number of doses for their age can also get the vaccine for free. The vaccine is also provided free to children and adults at high risk of hepatitis B infection.