Hepatitis B Vaccine Injection

• Type: Preventive vaccine

• Composition: Contains Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced using recombinant DNA technology.

• Form: Sterile suspension for intramuscular (IM) injection

How It Works

• When injected, the HBsAg stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against hepatitis B virus (HBV).

• These antibodies protect against future HBV infection by neutralizing the virus if exposed.

• Provides active immunity that can last for decades after full vaccination.

Common Uses

• Routine immunization of infants, children, and adults

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis for individuals at risk, such as:

  • Healthcare workers

  • People with chronic liver disease

  • People with multiple sexual partners

  • Travelers to high-risk areas

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (along with hepatitis B immunoglobulin) after exposure to HBV

Dosing Schedule (General)

• Typically given as a series of 3 injections:

  1. Dose 1: At chosen start date

  2. Dose 2: 1 month after first dose

  3. Dose 3: 6 months after first dose

• Some accelerated schedules are available for urgent protection (e.g., for travelers).

Advantages

• Highly effective (over 90–95% protection in healthy individuals)

• Long-lasting immunity (often lifelong after full series)

• Helps prevent chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and liver cancer

Possible Side Effects

Mild/Temporary:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site

• Mild fever

• Fatigue or headache

Rare but Serious:

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis – very rare)

Precautions

• Should not be given to people with a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to yeast (vaccine is yeast-derived)

• Safe for infants, children, adults, and pregnant women (when indicated)

• Immunocompromised individuals may require post-vaccination antibody testing to confirm protection