Vaccine Description
The hepatitis B vaccine is non live vaccine, made of parts of the virus that cannot cause hepatitis B infection. It is the cornerstone of hepatitis B prevention. It is recommends that all infants receive the birth hepatitis B vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth and to be followed by 3 doses to complete the primary series. The complete vaccine series results on production of protective antibody levels in more than 95% of infants, children and young adults. Protection generally lasts at least 20 years. Therefore, booster doses are not routinely recommended for those completed the primary vaccine series. It is recommended for not previously vaccinated children and adolescents younger than 18 years-old and to those at risk of infection. The vaccine has an excellent safety and effectiveness record. The most common adverse reaction following the vaccine is pain at the site of injection, mild systemic complaints, such as fatigue, headache, irritability and fever.