Hepatitis B Vaccine
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver. It's spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids.
Hepatitis B can be very serious. It can make the liver suddenly stop working or cause gradual damage to the liver over time. It can also increase your chances of getting liver cancer.
Who should have the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk from hepatitis B, including:
- people who inject drugs or live with someone who injects drugs
- people who change sexual partners often
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
- sex workers
- close family members or sexual partners of someone with hepatitis B
How is the Hepatitis B vaccine given?
The hepatitis B vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh.
You need at least 3 doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection from hepatitis B.
There's usually a month gap between each dose, but sometimes 3 doses can be given within 21 days (with a 4th dose 12 months after the first dose) if you need faster protection.
Does the vaccine have any side effects?
Most of the side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine are mild and do not last long.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- feeling tired, sleepy or irritable
- a headache
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhoea
- a stomach ache
- a high temperature
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The hepatitis B vaccines used in the UK contain a killed (destroyed) version of the hepatitis B virus, so there's no risk of getting the infection from the vaccine.
How do I get the Hepatitis B vaccine?
Please contact the Sunderland Sexual Health Service on (0191) 569 9966 for more information and to arrange a consultation.
