Vaccines and Preventable Diseases

• Hepatitis B

  Brief Description

  Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent HBV infection.
  
  

  Vaccine Information

  The vaccination schedule most often used for adults and children has been three intramuscular injections, the second and third administered 1 and 6 months after the first. Recombivax HB® has been approved as a two dose schedule for aged 11-15 years. Twinrix® has also been approved as a four dose accelerated schedule.