Should I Get The Hepatitis B Vaccine?

Hepatitis B, also shortened as Hep B is an acute or chronic infection and can last for a few weeks to months or many years. Babies and children are at high risk of having to deal with the chronic outcome. Adults normally go on to make a complete recovery. Hep B is easily transmissible when you come in contact with bodily fluids- through unprotected sex, drug use with shared syringes, accidental needle pricks in a medical setting, and from the mother to the baby during childbirth. Some age groups are more sensitive to the virus and its onset- babies, children and older individuals.

Who Should Get The Hepatitis B Vaccine And Why

Vaccination is super important as Hep B is labelled a silent killer – many people contract the virus in their infancy or at a young age, and are symptomless for decades, before they begin to show any symptoms. The liver is heavily scarred by that time. The typical causes for escalating healthcare costs or death include liver cirrhosis, cancer or uncontrolled inflammation of the liver.

The vaccine is recommended for all age groups- from birth till above 60 years of age or older. The quirk about this virus is that the younger you are when you get infected, the higher the chances of you having to deal with the chronic version of the disease in the future. So catching them young is the best way to ensure minimal casualties and improve long-term healthcare goals.

Hepatitis B vaccination guidelines for different age groups

This table makes it clear that you need a minimum of 3 doses to get complete immunity. The three doses have been scheduled in this manner to help improve your chances of protection, with the least number of doses. You can get your dose even if you have missed one, and there is no need to start from the beginning or panic.

Who Is At High Risk For Hepatitis B And Needs Vaccination?

The following groups of people are at high risk:

• Medical professionals or healthcare workers are exposed to blood, bodily fluids, needles, and contaminated samples on a regular basis. So they need Hep B vaccination.
• If you have unprotected sex with multiple partners or if with an HBV positive partner
• If you inject drugs into your system with syringes, then you are at high risk.
• Babies born to infected mothers need to be vaccinated immediately.
• If you are a caretaker or live with someone who has Hep B.
• If you have renal disease or chronic liver disease
• Hep B is an opportunistic infection as it can stay dormant in your system and act up when your immune system is compromised. So, if you are HIV+, then you are at high risk.
• Newborns and children in general.
• If you like body art like tattoos, then ensure that you go to a trustworthy establishment and insist that they use fresh, sterile needles, always.

Hepatitis B Vaccine For People With Chronic Liver Disease

If chronic liver disease is due to Hep B virus, then you do NOT need to get vaccinated. But, if it is due to Hepatitis A or C, then yes, get vaccinated. The number of doses will depend on the brand used, but in India, it is 3 doses.

Conclusion

Vaccination is a good mode of prevention in general, but it is not recommended in some instances- like when you have an allergy to some component, or have a genetic condition or have previous exposure to the pathogen, among several other causes. Many people believe that vaccination is not good, or unnatural because we induce an infection in a seemingly artificial manner. But, if you want protection in the best way possible, then a vaccination is your best bet.