Vaccine Side Effects and Safety
 Common
side effects include soreness, swelling and redness
at the injection site. The vaccine may not be recommended
for those with documented yeast allergies or a history of
an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
The Hepatitis
B vaccine is considered one of the safest and most
effective vaccines ever made. Numerous studies looking
at the vaccine's safety have been conducted by the Centers
for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other
professional medical associations. They have not found any
evidence that the vaccine causes sudden infant deaths (SIDs),
multiple sclerosis, or other neurological disorders.
Vaccine Recommendations
The
hepatitis B vaccine is recommended specifically for
all infants and children by the Centers for Disease
Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The CDC also
recommends that adults in high-risk groups be vaccinated.
The following
list is a general guide for vaccination, but since every person
is at some risk for infection, these guidelines should be
individualized for each situation.
- All
infants at birth and all children up to 18 years.
- Health
care professionals and emergency personnel.
- Sexually
active teens and adults
- Men
who have sex with men.
- Sex
partners or close family/household members living with an
infected person.
- Families
considering adoption, either domestic or international.
- Travelers
to countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa,
South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and
the Middle East).
- Patients
with kidney disease or undergoing dialysis.
- Residents
and staff of correctional facilities and group homes.
- Any
person who may fall into a high risk group due to occupation
or lifestyle choices.
Vaccine Schedule
The
vaccine is readily available at your doctor's office or local
health clinic. Three doses are generally required to complete
the hepatitis B vaccine series, although there is an accelerated
two-dose series for adolescents.
- First
Injection - At any given time
- Second
Injection - At least one month after the first dose
- Third
Injection - Six months after the first dose
Cost of Vaccine
The
three-shot vaccine series for children in the United States
usually costs $75 to $165, but this can vary. Infants up to
age 18 months, and sometimes older children, can receive the
vaccine free of charge from most local public health clinics.
Insurance
companies will usually cover the cost of vaccines for infants
and children. There is also a federal program to
help cover the cost of children's vaccines. For more information,
contact the Vaccines
for Children Program.
The hepatitis
B vaccine costs more for adults. If an adult is in a high-risk
group, the cost may be also covered by insurance. Contact
your insurance company for more information about the hepatitis
B vaccine.
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