Skip to main content

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a common liver disease caused by a virus. There are two types of hepatitis B: acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). Most adults fully recover from acute (short-term) hepatitis B with treatment. But infants and children infected with it are far more likely to end up with chronic (long-term) hepatitis B. Kids and half of adults who have acute infections usually do not have symptoms. That means they can spread hepatitis B to others without anyone knowing they are infected. Hepatitis B spreads through contact with blood or other bodily fluids from an infected person.source: 1,source: 2 Mothers who are infected can pass it to their babies at birth without knowing.source: 3 Every year, thousands of infants are born from mothers with hepatitis B.source: 2,source: 4

Because most infants and kids get the hepatitis B vaccine, cases of acute hepatitis B have decreased a lot in the United States. But chronic hepatitis B is still common. In the United States, up to 2.2 million people have hepatitis B.source: 5 Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver problems and even death.source: 6,source: 7

There are two types of hepatitis B vaccines.source: 1,source: 8 (1) The hepatitis B vaccine. (2) The DTap-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine helps protect from Hib disease as well as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and hepatitis B.

Why does my child need to be vaccinated against hepatitis B?

Age plays a role in whether hepatitis B will become chronic. The younger a person is when infected with the hepatitis B virus, the greater the chance of developing chronic infection. About 9 in 10 infants who become infected go on to develop life-long, chronic infection.source: 6 One in 4 people infected with hepatitis B at birth will die prematurely.source: 5

Most people who have chronic hepatitis B don’t have symptoms at first. But chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong illness that can be serious or deadly. People can get liver problems, like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, or liver failure.source: 5

How safe are the vaccines?

Vaccines that protect against hepatitis B are safe. Hepatitis B vaccines have been used since 1986.source: 6 Combination vaccines that protect against multiple diseases, including hepatitis B, are also safe and have been used since 2018.source: 9 Learn more about vaccine safety.

Image
VPD Hep B-Baby girl, doctor and parent

How effective are the vaccines?

The vaccines give people between 80% and 100% protection from hepatitis B. When the childhood vaccine schedule is followed, the hepatitis B vaccines provide strong protection for years.source: 5

What are the vaccines’ side effects? 

Most parents report that their children do not have any side effects at all. The most common side effects are mild and last 1–2 days after vaccination. These include soreness or redness where the vaccine was given or a low-grade fever.source: 1

Understanding the Risks

Getting Hepatitis B vs. Getting Vaccinated

Hepatitis B

Vaccines to prevent Hepatitis B

Common: Mild to Moderate Symptoms or Side Effects

Symptoms can last from several weeks to 6 months:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dark urine or clay-colored poop
  • Joint, stomach, and muscle pain

If side effects occur, they are usually mild and last 1–2 days:

  • Soreness or redness where the vaccine was given
  • Low-grade fever

Rare: More Serious Symptoms, Complications or Side Effects

  • Jaundice
  • Severe nausea
  • Acute liver failure
  • Liver cancer
  • Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  • Severe allergic reaction (1 per 600,000 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine)

Knowing that my child is protected against deadly diseases gives me peace and comfort.

— Nichelle S., Mother

When does my child need the vaccine? 

Vaccinating for hepatitis B beginning at birth allows the vaccine to protect babies before they may be unknowingly exposed. Half of all adults with hepatitis B don't have symptoms.source: 5 That means newborns can be infected by their mothers, other family members, or caregivers who may not even know they are infected with hepatitis B. Kids can get the hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.source: 10

Children who are not up to date on the hepatitis B vaccine can get their second dose 1–2 months after their first dose. The third hepatitis B vaccine dose can be given 6 months after the second dose.source: 5

First Dose

Birth

Second Dose

Between 1 and 2 months

Third Dose

Between 6 and 18 months

More information

You can also visit these sites:

Sources

  1. FDA: Vaccines for Children - A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
  2. CDC: Hepatitis B Basics
  3. CDC: Hepatitis B Prevention and Control
  4. CDC: 2020 Viral Hepatitis Surveillance National Profile of Viral Hepatitis
  5. CDC: Pink Book: Hepatitis B
  6. The World Journal of Hepatology: Three decades of hepatitis B control with vaccination
  7. FDA: Hepatitis B
  8. CDC: Combination Vaccines
  9. Immunize.org: Vaccine History Timeline
  10. CDC: Multiple Vaccines at Once
Back to top
Content last reviewed on

Disclaimer Policy: Links with this icon () mean that you are leaving the HHS website.