Hepatitis B vaccine
We offer Hepatitis B vaccine in Ashford and Surrey. Please get in touch on 01784 613239 for more information and for sameday appointments
Hepatitis B vaccine overview
Hepatitis B vaccination is routinely available as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. It’s offered to all babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
It’s also offered to those thought to be at increased risk of hepatitis Bor its complications.
The vaccine gives protection against the hepatitis B virus, which is a major cause of serious liver disease, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.
Who should be vaccinated against hepatitis B?
Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B have been offered the hepatitis B vaccine from birth since the 1980s. During autumn 2017, this vaccine became available in the routine childhood vaccination schedule for all babies as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
- people who inject drugs or have a partner who injects drugs
- people who change their sexual partners frequently
- men who have sex with men
- babies born to infected mothers
- close family or sexual partners of someone with hepatitis B
- anyone who receives regular blood transfusions or blood products, and their carers
- people with any form of chronic liver disease
- people with chronic kidney disease
- people with chronic kidney disease
- people travelling to high-risk countries
- male and female sex workers
- people whose work puts them at risk of contact with blood or body fluids, such as nurses, prison staff, doctors, dentists and laboratory staff
- prisoners
- families adopting or fostering children from high-risk countries
How to get vaccinated against hepatitis B
If you think you’re at risk and need the hepatitis B vaccine, ask your GP to vaccinate you, or visit any sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.
Find local sexual health services.
If your GP or nurse is unable to offer you the hepatitis B vaccine because of a temporary shortage in supply, you may need to wait longer for the vaccine. For more information, read What to do if you have to wait for a dose of hepatitis B vaccine (PDF, 159kb).
Emergency hepatitis B vaccination
What does hepatitis B immunisation involve?
Babies and hepatitis B vaccination
Pregnant women have a routine blood test for hepatitis B as part of their antenatal care.
Hepatitis B vaccination in pregnancy
Hepatitis B vaccine on the NHS
A hepatitis B-containing vaccine is provided for all babies born in the UK on or after 1 August 2017. This is given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
GPs may charge for the hepatitis B vaccine if you want it as a travel vaccine, or they may refer you to a travel clinic for a private vaccination. The current cost of the vaccine is around £50 a dose.