Hepatitis B disease is widespread worldwide, with a comparatively low prevalence in the Federal Republic of Germany. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood (e.g., intravenous drug use, tattooing under non-hygienic conditions, in the medical field), and from infected mother to child during childbirth.

Many cases of the disease are associated without characteristic jaundice. Age at the time of infection influences the course of the disease. In adults, 5-10% of cases progress from an acute to a chronic course, i.e. the virus remains constantly present in the body and can therefore be further spread, leading to destruction and shrinkage of the liver.

When the newborn is infected during birth or infancy, nearly 80% of cases take this course. In order to prevent transmission from mother to child, appropriate blood tests are scheduled for all pregnant women after the 32nd week of pregnancy.
The currently available treatment for hepatitis B infection is not without side effects and is not successful to the extent desired.

Complete basic immunization leaves most with lifelong immunity. To check this, an antibody control in the blood can be done at the earliest 4 weeks later.

Vaccination: genetically engineered HBs antigen, therefore no risk of infection, injection into muscle.

Who should get vaccinated?

  • all infants, children and adolescents,
  • Medical staff at risk of HB, including trainees or students, and cleaning staff in health care services.
  • Dialysis patients and patients with frequent transmission of blood or blood products or patients in whom corresponding blood transfusions are to be expected,
  • Patients with chronic liver disease,
  • Individuals in certain high-risk groups (e.g., homosexually active men, drug addicts, prostitutes, longer-serving prisoners),
  • Staff and patients in mental health facilities,
  • Individuals who have family or community contact with infectious hepatitis B sufferers (e.g., nursery schools, children’s homes, foster homes, school classes, playgroups) and travelers with extended stays in regions with higher prevalence of hepatitis B and expected close contact with the local population.
  • Other persons at risk from blood contact with potentially infected persons, depending on the risk assessment (e.g., company and volunteer first responders, emergency services personnel, police officers, social workers, and prison personnel with contact with drug abusers)

Timing of vaccination:

After completion of the second month of life, 3 to 4 vaccinations as part of the 6-fold vaccination, newborns of infected mothers immediately after birth. This is followed by basic immunization of all those not yet vaccinated with 3 vaccinations, or completion of incomplete vaccination protection.

Most common vaccine reactions:

Tolerance good, occasional redness and swelling at the vaccination site, rarely fever and even more rarely joint pain.

Remark:

In the absence of vaccination protection and if there is a possibility of infection, please contact your family doctor or pediatrician immediately and discuss further action. Under certain circumstances, infection can still be prevented by administration of immunoglobulins (antibodies) and / or simultaneous vaccination.