The Urwin Pharmacy Group
Hepatitis B Travel Vaccine
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B (HBV) is one of the most prevalent blood-borne viruses worldwide and is a major cause of chronic liver disease, liver cancer. The vaccine offers a 98% to 100% protection against hepatitis B and is recommended for all travellers who are considered to be at risk when travelling and can be given to adults and children from birth.
Most cases of hepatitis B are asymptomatic when newly infected, although some people do experience acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks. Symptoms more commonly occur in adults than children and may include jaundice, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Hepatitis B Travel Vaccine
Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all travellers that are considered to be at risk of HBV. Any traveller can be at risk of an accident or require emergency treatment. Travellers to areas of intermediate or high endemicity can be at increased risk.
Travellers will need three doses of the vaccine for full protection against hepatitis B. One month after you have had your first dose you will then be able to get your second dose. The third dose is given five months after the second dose. You may need to have a blood test one to four months after your third dose. This blood sample will be able to detect if you body has made antibodies to protect you against the virus. A booster vaccine is often required 5 years after your final vaccine.
Hepatitis B Transmission
The hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids contaminated with infectious blood, most commonly passed from mother to baby in highly endemic areas. Hepatitis B is also spread by tattooing, piercing, and exposure to the infected blood and bodily fluids. The virus can survive outside the body for at least 7 days, during this time the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body. The virus can be detected within 30 to 60 days after infection and can persist and develop into chronic hepatitis B.
What vaccinations do I need?
Speak to one of our expert Pharmacists at your local Urwin Pharmacy branch about current travel advice and recommendations.