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Hepatitis B

What is it?

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus. Sometimes hepatitis B is asymptomatic, but it can be deadly. Some common symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice.

The hepatitis B vaccine is >98% effective at preventing infection. 
3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are recommended, except for HEPLISAV-B which only requires 2 doses.

Vaccine Options:

Hepatitis B Only:

Combination Vaccines:

What's the difference between them?

There are three vaccines that exclusively protect against hepatitis B:

Engerix-B, HEPLISAV-B, Prehevbrio*, and Recombivax HB,.

*Prehevbrio is only approved for people over 18. 

 

There are also three combination vaccines: 

Pediarix protects against polio, hepatitis B, and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis

Twinrix protects against Hepatitis A and B

Vaxelis contains protects against polio, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

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For more information about hepatitis B vaccination, click here

Relevant Terms

  • Asymptomatic: does not have symptoms or does not appear sick

  • Bile: a fluid stored in the liver that is involved in digestion

  • Jaundice: when the skin and eyes turn yellow. This is caused by a high level of bilirubin, which is a pigment in bile that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells.

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