Hepatitis B vaccine

Hepatitis B is an infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. Those at risk of being exposed to body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid infected with hepatitis B can choose to be vaccinated against it.

Who should have the Hep B jab?

High risk groups include:

• people who have sex with people with the disease or who share needles or drug paraphernalia with them.
• people in high risk professions such as nurses, prison wardens, doctors, dentists and laboratory staff.
• people who have had blood transfusions
• people with existing liver or kidney diseases
• people travelling to high risk countries.

If you’re in a high risk group, GP surgeries and sexual health or GUM clinics will generally give you a hepatitis B vaccination free.

Is it serious?

Hepatitis B rarely kills but it is 100 times more infectious than HIV.

Images in the vaccination section were sourced from the Wikimedia Commons or Flikr (johnnyalive, Scott Ableman) or other open sources. They are for illustration only and don't show particular vaccines, needles or contagium.