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Hepatitis B Vaccine

  • Hepatitis B:
    • A serious viral infection primarily affecting the liver.
    • Primarily transmitted by blood and blood products, but has also been found in tears, saliva, breast milk, urine, semen and vaginal secretions.
    • Causes loss of work due to illness. 
    • Is a chronic illness.
    • Rarely can cause death.
    • There is currently no cure.
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine:
    • Recommended to persons who are at increased risk of being infected with Hepatitis B Virus.
    • Given according to the following schedule:
      • 1st dose at elected date
      • 2nd dose 1 month later
      • 3rd dose 4 to 6 months after the 1st dose
  • Contraindications: (include any history of)
    • allergy to yeast
    • immunocompromised state
    • dialysis
    • coagulation disorder
    • multiple sclerosis
  • Risks:
    • May cause local soreness, swelling, and redness where the shot was given which may last 1 to 2 days.
    • May also cause fever, headache, and dizziness.
    • May less often cause flu like symptoms, tingling, upper respiratory infection, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or cramping, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes, rash, itching, sleep disturbances, and acute or delayed hypersensitivity reaction.
  • If you have a serious or unusual problem after getting this vaccine, call your physician or go to a medical facility promptly.
     
  • If you have a reaction to the vaccine, write down exactly what happened and report to a nurse here at Student Health Services. Call (337) 482-5464.