HEPATITIS B VACCINE

Inactivated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide

Dosage Forms

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Injection

single dose vial 20 micrograms/1 ml

Uses

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  • Vaccination against hepatitis B infection
  • Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission

Dose and Duration

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Hepatitis B vaccination
Three doses: First dose, 0 months; second dose, 1 month after 1ˢᵗ dose; last dose, 6 months after 1ˢᵗ dose
  • Adult and child > 15 years: 0.5 ml IM on the deltoid muscle (upper arm)
  • Child < 15 years: 0.5 ml IM on the deltoid muscle
  • For infants and younger children, give injection IM in the anterolateral thigh

Contraindications

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  • Raised intracranial pressure

Side Effects

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  • Pain, redness and swelling at injection site
  • Fatigue
  • Fever

Patient Instructions

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  • If fever develops, give a single dose of paracetamol

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breast-feeding

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  • Can be used

Storage

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  • Store at 2–8°C
  • Do not freeze vaccine

⚠️ Caution

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  • For adults and adolescents, preferably give vaccine after testing for hepatitis B infection (HBsAg or Anti-HBs)
  • Do not give on the buttocks as there will be reduced immune response (decreased protective antibody response)
  • Do not give injection intradermally
  • Hepatitis B vaccine is part of the fixed dose combination of DPT, HepB + HiB vaccine which is given to children during routine immunisation. Children therefore do not need to be immunised again using the single HepB vaccine
  • Neonates born of mothers who are Hepatitis B carriers are given the first dose within 24 hours after birth