Hepatitis B Vaccine
Vaccine | Category | Age Group | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Hepatitis B |
Engerix B® HBVAXPRO® 10mcg (Recombinant viral) |
Adult | £35.00 |
Children (16+) | £22.00 | ||
Engerix B Paediatric | 0 to 15 years | ||
Engerix B | From 16 years and over | ||
HBvaxPRO Paediatric | 0 to 15 years | ||
HBvaxPRO | From 16 years and over | ||
Booster | All of the Above |
The vaccine is administered through 3-4 shots over a six month period.
According to the World Health Organisation Hepatitis B vaccine should be considered for all non-immune individuals travelling to countries or areas with moderate to high risk of infection. It can be administered to infants from birth.
The full duration of protection has yet to be established. Individuals at continuing risk should be offered a single booster dose at 5 years (once only).
Hepatitis B is a disease found around the world but most prevalent in Western Pacific region, African region, Eastern Mediterranean region and South-East Asia region.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes serious liver disease, including Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer. Hepatitis B is found worldwide however countries with the highest risk include Eastern Asia and Africa followed by the Middle East, South & East Europe and the Indian Subcontinent.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated blood. The virus could spread by the following: sexual intercourse, needle sharing, blood transfusions, medical interventions, passed on from mother to child, tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture, people with any form of liver disease, and anyone with chronic liver disease.
The incubation period for Hepatitis B can last between up to 60-90 days. Most of infected people do not even develop symptoms, and if symptoms are present, they include a mild fever, flu-like signs, high temperature, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and the yellow decolourisation of the skin and eyes.
There is no treatment available for Hepatitis B. Treatment for chronically infected patients is aimed at decreasing the progression to chronic liver disease and reducing the risk of liver cancer.
Vaccination is the only way of preventing the disease. The vaccine against hepatitis B is part of the childhood immunisation programme in many countries