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What is Hepatitis B?Updated 4-20-26
  • Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  • HBV infection can be short (acute) or long-term (chronic). For more information about the diseases caused by HBV, please click here.
  • About 1 in 2 people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected.
  • HBV is contagious and spreads through contact with infected blood and body fluids.
  • Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection.
Information for the Public
Vaccine Information
Hepatitis B virus image
  • Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is considered one of the most safe and effective vaccines.
  • The hepatitis B vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis B. These vaccines are routinely provided during the primary infant vaccination series and are recommended for vulnerable adolescents and adults as well as anyone seeking protection.
Vaccine Recommendations
Image of the Hepatitis B vaccine

Who SHOULD get the vaccine:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend that the following people receive hepatitis B vaccination:

  • All infants, starting with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth
    • 2 or 3 additional doses (depending on the baby's birthweight) are needed to complete the primary series
  • Unvaccinated children and adolescents younger than 19 years
  • Unvaccinated adults ages 19-59 years
  • Adults 60 years and older with certain risk factors
  • People at risk increased risk for hepatitis B infection, including:
    • Infants born to people who are living with hepatitis B
    • Susceptible sexual partners of people with hepatitis B infection
    • Sexually active people who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship (i.e., having more than one sex partner during the previous six months)
    • People being tested or treated for a sexually transmitted infection
    • Men who have sex with men
    • People with current or recent drug use
    • Susceptible household contacts of people with hepatitis B infection
    • Healthcare and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood
    • People with end-stage renal disease, including pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients
    • Residents and staff of facilities for people with developmental disabilities
    • Travelers to and families adopting from areas where hepatitis B is common (e.g. Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
    • People with chronic liver disease, other than one caused by hepatitis B (e.g. cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, etc.)
    • People with hepatitis C infection
    • People with HIV infection
    • People with diabetes, as decided by their provider
    • All people seeking protection from HBV infection - acknowledgment of a specific risk factor is not a requirement for vaccination

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. Studies indicate that immunity persists for at least 30 years among healthy people who initiate hepatitis B vaccination at less than 6 months of age.

Who should NOT get the vaccine:

  • People who’ve had a life-threatening allergic reaction to prior hepatitis B vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine.
Where to Get the Vaccine

If you have insurance:

  • Talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what vaccines they offer.
  • Most health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines for children and adults.

If you are uninsured or underinsured:

  • Programs are available to help cover the cost of vaccines.
  • Children 18 years or younger may receive vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program if they are:
    • Eligible for or are enrolled in Medi-Cal
    • American Indian or Alaskan Native
    • Uninsured (do not have health insurance)
    • Underinsured (private health insurance does not cover the full cost of vaccines)
  • Adults who are uninsured or underinsured may be able to get free or low-cost vaccines at clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For more information on who is eligible, read VFA Eligibility Based on Insurance Status.

Locating Vaccine Clinics:

  • A list of free and low-cost clinics in Los Angeles County.
  • Interactive county map to locate free and low-cost vaccine clinics.
  • Call 1-833-540-0473 (Public Health InfoLine) for a list of free or low-cost vaccine clinics. This includes Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider locations that serve Medi-Cal eligible children and uninsured or underinsured adults.
Keeping Track of Your Immunization Records

If you are unsure of your hepatitis B vaccination status, you can request a copy of your records.

To request your record:

If your vaccines are not listed, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or vaccine provider for a copy of your vaccine records. You can also ask them to add your vaccines to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).

Other tips to find your records:

Additional Resources
Flyers (LAC DPH)
Hepatitis B FAQ
Hep B FAQ

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Information for Providers
Disease Reporting

Confirmed or suspected hepatitis B cases are to be reported within seven (7) calendar days from identification, by electronic transmission (including fax or email) or telephone to Los Angeles County Public Health Department's Communicable Disease Reporting System (CDRS) per Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Section 2500. When reporting, specify if this is an acute, chronic, or perinatal case, and whether or not the individual is pregnant.

Vaccine Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend routine hepatitis B vaccination for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Infants and Children
The AAFP recommends a dose of single antigen hepatitis B vaccine (ENGERIX-B [GlaxoSmithKline] or RECOMBIVAX HB® [Merck]) within 24 hours of birth for all infants born to people who are HBsAg negative. Additional doses should be administered at ages:

  • 1-2 Months
  • 6-18 Months

The 3rd and final dose should be administered at age 6 months (24 weeks).

A 4th dose is permitted at age 6 months when using combination vaccines after the birth dose, such as PEDIARIX (GlaxoSmithKline) or VAXELIS® (Sanofi Pasteur).

Vaccine recommendations for infants born to people who are HBsAg positive or have unknown hepatitis B status at time of delivery can be found here.

All children and adolescents aged <18 years not previously vaccinated require 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months.

Adolescents ages 11-15 years may receive a 2-dose series of RECOMBIVAX HB® with at least 4 months between doses. The 2-dose series should be completed prior to the 16th birthday.

Adults
CDC recommends the following adults receive hepatitis B vaccination:

  • Adults 19 – 59 years
  • Adults 60 years and older with certain risk factors for hepatitis B
  • Adults not previously vaccinated should receive 2 or 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine depending on the brand used.

Guidance for PREHEVBRIO

The PREHEVBRIO vaccine was voluntarily recalled by VBI Vaccines in late 2024 due to the company’s termination of operations.

  • For vaccine series started with PreHevbrio as dose 1 or doses 1 and 2, vaccine from a different manufacturer should adhere to the 3-dose schedule.
    • If PreHevbrio was given as dose 1, another vaccine licensed for adults (i.e., ENGERIX-B or RECOMBIVAX HB®) should be given as dose 2 and dose 3 in accordance with the schedule.
    • The 2-dose HEPLISAV-B® vaccine series can also be given as dose 2 and dose 3 to complete a 3-dose vaccine series when the manufacturer of a previously administered dose 1 is unknown, or PreHevbrio was given as dose 1.
Hepatitis B-Containing Vaccines and Brands Number of Doses Age for Primary Series Dose & Route
Dose 1 Dose 2 Dose 3 Dose 4
ENGERIX-B (HepB)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 		3 Birth 1 mo 6 mos N/A 0.5 mL IM
3 ≥20 yrs 1 mo after Dose 1 16 wks-6 mos after Dose 1 N/A 0.5 mL IM
4 Adults on hemodialysis 1 mo after Dose 1 2 mos after Dose 1 6 mos after Dose 1 2 mL IM or two (2) 1 mL doses
RECOMBIVAX HB® (HepB)
Merck 		3 Birth 1 mo 6 mos N/A 0.5 mL IM
2 11-15 yrs 4-6 mos after Dose 1 N/A    
N/A   		 1 mL IM
3 11-15 yrs 1 mo after Dose 1 6 mos after Dose 1 N/A 1 mL IM
3 Birth 1 mo 6 mos N/A 1 mL IM
HEPLISAV-B® (HepB)
Merck 		   
2   		 Birth 1 mo N/A N/A 0.5 mL IM
PEDIARIX
(DTaP-HepB-IPV)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 		   
3   		 2 mos 4 mos 6 mos N/A 0.5 mL IM
VAXELIS®
(DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB)*
MSP Vaccine Company 		3 2 mos 4 mos 24 wks-6 mos** N/A 0.5 mL IM
TWINRIX (HepA-HepB)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 		3 ≥18 yrs 1 mo after Dose 1 6 mos after Dose 1 N/A 1 mL IM
4 ≥18 yrs 7 days after Dose 1 21-30 days after Dose 1 12 mos after Dose 1 1 mL IM

*Preferred for American Indian and Alaska Native infants based on the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) component.
** The recommended minimum age for dose 3 of VAXELIS® is 24 weeks, the minimum age for completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series.

Vaccine Reporting, Storage and Handling

Administration Data: California healthcare providers are required to report data on all valid immunizations that they administer to their patients into the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) within 2 weeks of administration per AB 1797.

Administration Errors: Healthcare providers are strongly recommended to report all vaccine administration errors to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

Adverse Events: Healthcare providers are required to report any adverse event on the reportable events list to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) per HR 5546.

Storage and Handling: For general recommendations and guidance access the Vaccine Storage and Handling Job Aids.



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    • Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.

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