Hepatitis B Prevention

As hepatitis B is spread through body fluid and blood to blood contact, there are simple ways to prevent transmission:

• always use a condom for anal or vaginal sex
• always use a condom for oral sex
• always use a barrier when licking or kissing someone’s anus
• If you inject drugs, do not share any injecting equipment with other people. This includes needles, syringes, water, spoons and filters
• Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers

Vaccination for Hepatitis B

 

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a course of vaccination. The vaccination is given to you by injection in your arm. A course of at least three injections is required. There are several options for the timing of these injections (schedules) and the one you follow will depend on your risks. It is important to have all three doses of the vaccine in the schedule as you will not be fully protected until you have had the third injection.

Who should have the hepatitis B vaccination?

From Autumn 2017 in the UK, a six in one (hexavalent) vaccine which also protects against hepatitis B was introduced ensuring all children are vaccinated during routine childhood immunisation. In addition, anyone considered to be at ‘high risk’ of getting hepatitis B should be vaccinated:

• close family and household members of infected people such as partners and children
• people travelling to countries with high to medium prevalence of hepatitis B
• People who inject drugs (PWID)
• People engaged in commercial sexual exploitation (sex workers), both male and female
• Gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
• people who change their sexual partners frequently
• people whose type of work puts them at increased risk, such as nurses, doctors, prison wardens, dentists, healthcare workers and laboratory staff
• prisoners
• families adopting children from countries with high to medium prevalence of hepatitis
• people who are infected with a blood borne virus (BBV), or have another form of hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, C, D, E or HIV and are at risk of co-infection

People who are at risk can get vaccinated at sexual health services, drug services, and travel health clinics. If you are at risk for medical reasons, the vaccine is provided free of charge by the NHS. However, if you need to be vaccinated because your job puts you at risk or you are travelling, you may be charged for the vaccine or directed to a private clinic.