Where can I get such a vaccination?
In general, any doctor can do the vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccination for children is usually done by the pediatrician. If adults wish to be vaccinated, the family doctor can take over or refer them to a specialist. If the reason for the vaccination is a trip abroad, the Tropical Institute can also be the right contact. If the vaccination is for professional reasons, the company doctor is usually responsible.
When does vaccination start?
From when on the protection after the hepatitis B vaccination exists depends very much on the defense reaction of the immune system of the respective recipient. In some people, this reaction is so fast that after four to six weeks after vaccination there is already a sufficient number of antibodies in the blood. However, since it is not certain whether this number can be maintained for life without a third vaccination, all three vaccinations should be carried out in any case. In order to ensure sufficient vaccination protection, the number of antibodies in the blood is checked four to eight weeks after the last vaccination.
How often must I be vaccinated?
In infants, the vaccination is usually given together with other vaccines, for example the vaccine against whooping cough. The vaccination is started from the second month. A total of four vaccinations are given.
The first three vaccinations are given after one month and the last vaccination after about one year. If only hepatitis B is vaccinated, the second vaccination can be omitted. Adults are vaccinated three times against hepatitis B.
What is the interval between vaccinations?
For adults, three vaccinations are given to ensure a safe vaccination protection. The second vaccination is injected at an interval of one month after the first vaccination. The third vaccination is then administered after another five months.
When does it need to be refreshed again?
If all vaccination doses of the Hepatitis B vaccination have been received, the vaccination success is tested after four to eight weeks by taking a blood sample. This will determine whether the body has produced a sufficient number (at least 100 International Units per liter) of antibodies to protect against hepatitis B viruses. If this is confirmed, there is generally a lifelong vaccination protection and there is no need for a booster.
However, the test should be performed annually in patients who have a weakened immune system, e.g. due to disease. People who have an increased risk of infection, e.g. due to a medical profession, should be tested every ten years. If the antibodies in the blood have fallen off strongly, a booster vaccination is recommended for these groups of people. It is also possible, after contact with the pathogen, to take measures to protect the body and thus escape the outbreak of the disease.
