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What is Hepatitis B?Updated 11-12-24
  • Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  • HBV infection can be short (acute) or long-term (chronic).
  • 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
  • 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

Who SHOULD get the vaccine:
CDC recommends the following people receive hepatitis B vaccination:

  • All infants, starting with the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth
    • 2 or 3 doses additional doses (depending on the vaccine brand used) 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
  • Persons at risk increased risk for hepatitis B infection, including:
    • Infants born to persons who are living with hepatitis B
    • Susceptible sexual partners of people with hepatitis B infection
    • Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship (e.g., more than one sex partner during the previous six months)
    • Persons seeking evaluation or treatment 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
    • Persons with end-stage renal disease, including pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home dialysis patients
    • Residents and staff of facilities for persons with developmental disabilities
    • Travelers to and families adopting from countries where hepatitis B is common (e.g. Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
    • Persons with chronic liver disease, other than hepatitis B (e.g. cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, etc.)
    • Persons with hepatitis C infection
    • Persons with HIV infection
    • People with diabetes, as decided by their provider
    • All persons seeking protection from HBV infection — acknowledgment of a specific risk factor is not a requirement for vaccination

Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. Studies indicate that immunity persists for at least 30 years among healthy people who initiate Hep 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

There are many places to get the Hepatitis B vaccine. If you have insurance, talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Most health insurances cover the cost of all recommended vaccines for children and adults.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are programs available to help cover the cost of vaccines. Children who are 18 years of age or younger are eligible to 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)

Click to see if your child is eligible to receive VFC vaccines: English | Spanish

Uninsured or underinsured adults can access free or low cost vaccines at select clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For more information on who is eligible, read VFA Eligibility Based on Insurance Status. You can use the following resources for more information on locating clinics:

You can also dial 2-1-1 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. Learn more about specific vaccine information for different age groups:

Keeping Record of Your Immunization Records

Are you not sure if you have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B or you can’t find your vaccine records?

If you need official copies of your vaccine records, or if you need to update your personal records:

Additional Resources
Flyers (LACDPH)
Hepatitis B FAQ
Hep B FAQ

English | Español
Information for Providers
Vaccine Recommendations

CDC recommends routine Hepatitis B vaccination for infants, children, adolescents, and adults.

Infants and Children

CDC recommends a dose of single antigen hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix [GlaxoSmithKline] or Recombivax [Merck]) within 24 hours of birth for all infants born to persons 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 and final dose is required at age 6 months when using combination vaccines such as Pediarix (GlaxoSmithKline) or Vaxelis (Sanofi Pastuer).

Vaccine recommendations for infants born to persons who are HBsAg positive or unknown 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 at 0, 4 – 6 months. 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.
Vaccine Brand Number of Doses Schedule Age Dose & Route
Engerix
GlaxoSmithKline 		3 0,1, and 6 months Birth - 19 years 0.5 mL IM
3 0,1, and 6 months ≥ 20 years 0.5 mL IM
4 Adults on hemodialysis 0,1,2, and 6 months 2 mL IM or two (2) 1 mL doses
Recombivax
Merck 		3 0, 1, and 6 months Birth - 19 years 0.5 mL IM
2 0, 4-6 months 11-15 years 1 mL IM
3 0,1, and 6 months ≥ 20 years 1 mL IM
3 0,1, and 6 months Adults on pre-dialysis or dialysis 1 mL IM
Heplisav-B
Merck 		2 0 and 1 month ≥ 18 years 0.5 mL IM
PreHevbrio
VBI Vaccines		 3 0,1, and 6 months ≥ 18 years 1 mL IM
Pediarix
(DTap-HepB-IPV)
GlaxoSmithKline		 3 2, 4, and 6 months 6 weeks - 6 years 0.5 mL IM
Vaxelis
(DTap-IPV-Hib-HepB)
MSP Vaccine Company		 3 2, 4, and 6 months 6 weeks - 4 years 0.5 mL IM
Twinrix
(GlaxoSmithKline)		 3 0, 1, and 6 months ≥18 (primary) 1 mL IM
4 0, 7, 21-30 days;
Booster at 12 months		 ≥18 (accelerated
schedule)		 1 mL IM

All hepatitis B vaccines are highly effective in preventing HBV infection. Overall, hepatitis B vaccination produces seroprotection in 98% of healthy term infants.

Storage and Handling
Reporting

Click here for more information on reporting a Vaccine Adverse Event.



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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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