If you are pregnant, should you worry about Hepatitis B?

If you have HBV in your blood, you can transmit Hepatitis B to your baby. Babies who get HBV at birth may have the virus for the rest of their lives. All pregnant women should be tested for HBV early in their pregnancy. If you do not have antibodies against Hepatitis B, you should be vaccinated as it is safe even during pregnancy. If the blood test is positive for Hepatitis B, the baby should receive vaccine along with another shot, Hepatitis B immune globulin (called HBIG), at birth. The second dose of vaccine should be given at 1-2 months of age and the third dose at 6 months of age.

If I am a carrier how can I protect my family/others from HBV infection?

People with HBV infection might feel healthy but are still capable of passing the infection on to other people. To protect others from getting HBV infection, it is important to protect them from contact with your infected blood and other infectious body fluids, including semen and vaginal secretions. Sweat, tears, urine, and respiratory secretions do not contain Hepatitis B virus. Close contacts including household members should be tested for immunity against Hepatitis B and vaccinated if they do not have protection.

What is the schedule for vaccination against Hepatitis B?

The vaccine can provide protection in 90-95% of healthy young adults. The vaccine can be given safely to infants, children, and adults usually in three doses over an approximate 6-month period. If the vaccination series is interrupted after the first dose, the second dose should be administered as soon as possible. The second and third doses should be separated by an interval of at least 2 months. If only the third dose is delayed, it should be administered when convenient.

Do I need post vaccination testing after completing the 3 doses of the vaccine?

After routine vaccination of infants, children, adolescents, or adults post-vaccination testing for adequate antibody response is NOT necessary.

Post-vaccination testing IS recommended only for who:

  • are immunocompromised (e.g., hemodialysis patients)

  • received the vaccine in the buttock

  • are infants born to HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen)-positive mothers

  • are healthcare workers who have contact with blood

  • are sex partners of persons with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection

  • Post-vaccination testing should be completed 1-2 months after the third vaccine dose for results to be meaningful. A protective antibody response is 10 or more milliinternational units (>=10mIU/mL).

Will I need booster doses of the vaccine after the initial 3 injections?

  • Current data show that vaccine-induced Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels may decline over time but are still protected against clinical illness and chronic disease.

  • For health care workers with normal immune status who have demonstrated an anti-HBs response following vaccination, booster doses of vaccine are not recommended nor is periodic anti-HBs testing.

What should I do if I do not respond to the initial 3 doses of the vaccine?

A small percentage of people do not develop immunity after the initial 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. If they belong to the group of at risk persons, they may receive repeated doses of the vaccine and at double the initial dose.