All babies born on or after 1 August 2017 are now being offered protection against hepatitis B as part of the universal childhood immunisation programme. This Hexavalent vaccine replaces the existing 5-in-1 vaccine that children routinely get.
Routine immunisation schedule
There has been no change to the immunisation schedule or to the number of injections – children will continue to be immunised at the ages of 8, 12 and 16 weeks.
The only change is to the components of the vaccine itself, which now provides extra protection for hepatitis B, as well as protecting against:
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- whooping cough (pertussis)
- polio
- haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
It is already widely used with around 150 million doses having been given in 97 countries in Europe and across the world.
You can find out more about the vaccine at these links:
As adults are the majority of infected people, vaccinating children will help protect them in childhood from potential exposure to infected household or family members.
Vaccinating infants will essentially reduce the risk of infection and will provide longer term protection against future exposure risks.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is spread by contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. It can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis B can be passed on:
- through having unprotected sex
- from mother to baby
- from contact with infected blood in areas of the world where hepatitis B is more common
You cannot get hepatitis B by shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, sharing food, or by using the same toilet.
People with hepatitis B infection may not be aware that they are infected as chronic infection mostly has no symptoms.
If you think you may have been exposed to the virus, even if this was many years ago, talk to your GP or nurse and get tested.
More useful links
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