The Hepatitis B vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection into the muscle of the upper arm. The full course requires three doses to be given over a 6 month period.

If faster immunisation is required, an accelerated schedule is also available which can provide all three doses within 1 month. This schedule is usually reserved for exceptional circumstances when it is not practical to wait 6 months for full protection, such as before travel.

You will need three doses of this vaccine in order to be fully protected. Following this initial course, no further doses are usually required. In some cases following exposure to the disease, a booster dose can be given.

Following vaccination you may experience a sore, achy or heavy arm due to the injection. There can also be some pain, soreness, redness or bruising at the injection site. Other side-effects include flu like symptoms, drowsiness, temperature, aches and pains, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.

There is a very small chance that some people can be allergic to the vaccine and cause anaphylaxis. This is extremely rare and the risk of this is no different to an allergy to any other medication. Our vaccinators always check to make sure you are not at risk of any allergies prior to the vaccine and are prepared to manage an allergies if needed.