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The Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B

People with Hepatitis B can pass the virus on to others through sexual intercourse or sharing needles. Infected mothers can also pass the virus on to their babies during childbirth.

In a person with hepatitis B, the liver swells, and liver damage can occur. Most people will get rid of the virus after a few months. Some people are not able to get rid of the virus, which makes the infection chronic, or life-long. This may lead to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis, liver failure, and can also lead to liver cancer.

There is a hepatitis B vaccine that prevents infection with Hepatitis B, and therefore can prevent liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B.

We give the hepatitis B vaccine at 132 Healthwise.

The vaccine is usually given through 3 injections over 6 months.

First Injection - At any given time
Second Injection - At least one month after the first dose
Third Injection - Six months after the first dose

The vaccine is recommended for the following groups:

• Someone who has been recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
• People with multiple sex partners
• Intravenous drugs users
• People whose jobs expose them to human blood
• Travellers to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
• A person whose sexual partner has chronic hepatitis B
• Men who have sex with men

Common side effects when having the vaccination, like any other, include soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.

Please contact 132 Healthwise if you think you want to be vaccinated.