What is hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact or sharing IV drug needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when the mother is infected. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

The hepatitis B vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults.

This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to the disease, but will not treat an active infection you already have.

Vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults who are at risk of getting hepatitis B. Like any vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

This vaccine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The vaccination provider may want to watch you for a short time after your shot, to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. You will be treated quickly if you have a reaction right after you receive the vaccine.

You should not receive this vaccine if the first shot of this vaccine caused an allergic reaction. Your doctor or vaccination provider will determine if you can safely receive this vaccine.

Not all possible side effects are known. Becoming infected with hepatitis B is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.

Common side effects of hepatitis B adult vaccine may include:

• headache;
• tiredness; or
• redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services .

Warnings

Becoming infected with Hepatitis B is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.

You should not receive another dose of this vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Hepatitis B vaccine will not protect against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect against hepatitis B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet show symptoms.

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis B.

Tell your doctor or vaccination provider if you have or have ever had:

• a fever;
• an allergy to yeast or latex;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
• have a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine;
• have received any other hepatitis vaccine or if you are scheduled to receive a vaccine; or
• have ever fainted when or after receiving an injection; or
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of this vaccine on the baby.

How is this vaccine given?

This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

The hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of 2 to 3 shots usually over 6 months.

Your doctor or vaccination provider will determine if you need an additional dose based on your condition.

Your individual vaccination schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor’s instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

Be sure to receive all recommended doses of this vaccine, or you may not be fully protected against disease.

This vaccine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you if you recently received the hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis B adult vaccine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hepatitis B Prophylaxis:

Primary Vaccination:

Engerix-B(R):
19 years and younger: Three doses (0.5 mL each) intramuscularly on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule
20 years and older: Three doses (1 mL each) intramuscularly on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule

Heplisav-B(R): Two doses (0.5 mL each) intramuscularly one month apart

Recombivax-HB(R):
19 years and younger: Three doses (0.5 mL each) intramuscularly on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule (use pediatric/adolescent formulation)
20 years and older: Three doses (1 mL each) intramuscularly on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule (use adult formulation)



Known or Presumed Hepatitis B Exposure:

Engerix-B(R) : Use recommended doses of (above) on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule OR a 0, 1, 2, and 12 month schedule.
Recombivax-HB(R): Refer to recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Comments:
-Administer hepatitis B immune globulin if appropriate.
-Start hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after exposure.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your vaccination provider or health department if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine?

Avoid receiving other vaccines without first seeking medical advice.

What other drugs will affect hepatitis B vaccine?

Before receiving this vaccine, tell your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have received. Other drugs may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

What is Jynneos?

Jynneos is used to help prevent smallpox and monkeypox diseases.

Like any vaccine, Jynneos may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Jynneos is for use in adults 18 years of age and older who are determined to be at high risk of contracting smallpox or monkeypox infection.

Jynneos is also authorized for emergency use to prevent monkeypox disease in people younger than 18 years of age who are determined to be at high risk of monkeypox infection.

Warnings

Use Jynneos only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Jynneos can cause a severe allergic reaction. Medical treatment must be available to treat any anaphylactic reactions following administration.

Immunocompromised persons, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to this vaccine.

Vaccination with Jynneos may not protect all patients.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive Jynneos if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a smallpox or monkeypox vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system caused by receiving certain medicines such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is Jynneos given?

Jynneos is injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection), preferably into the upper arm. You will receive this vaccine in a doctor’s office, clinic setting, or pharmacy.

Jynneos is also authorized by the FDA for emergency use as a smaller dose for administration between the layers of skin (intradermal injection) to increase available vaccine doses in order to meet increased demand during a public health emergency.

Jynneos is administered in two doses 4 weeks apart. Talk with your doctor if you had a severe reaction after the first dose.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about this vaccine. Additional information is available from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Smallpox and Monkeypox:

Standard Regimen: Two subcutaneous doses of 0.5 mL each, 4 weeks apart.

Use: Prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults 18 years or older at high risk of infection.

Alternative Regimen (Emergency Use Authorization): Two intradermal doses of 0.1 mL each, 4 weeks apart (used to increase supply of vaccine doses during a public health emergency).

Use: Prevention of monkeypox disease in adults 18 years or older at high risk of infection.

Usual Pediatric/Adolescent Dose for Prevention of Monkeypox:

Standard Regimen (Emergency Use Authorization): Two subcutaneous doses of 0.5 mL each, 4 weeks apart. 

Use: Prevention of monkeypox disease in people younger than 18 years at high risk of infection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Be sure you receive all recommended doses of Jynneos. You may not be fully protected against disease if you do not receive the full series.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this vaccine is given by a healthcare professional, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving Jynneos?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Jynneos side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Jynneos: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common Jynneos side effects may include:

• pain, redness, swelling, or itching where the vaccine was injected;
• muscle pain;
• headache;
• tiredness;
• nausea; or
• chills.