Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a nasty infection that attacks the liver, whilst spreading to your blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. This infection can cause high risks like stopping and damaging your liver and increasing your chances of developing liver cancer. 

The criteria of people able to receive the hepatitis B vaccination are: 

• Babies from 6 months of age (NB product specific age exclusions must be followed) 
• People exposed to the blood or bodily fluids of someone with hepatitis B 
• People who inject themselves with drugs
• Those who live with people who inject drugs 
• People who have regular blood transfusions or blood products 
• People with long-term liver disease or kidney failure  
• Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men 
• Close family members or sexual partners of someone already with hepatitis B 
• Those travelling to parts of the world where hepatitis B is at a higher risk  
• Families fostering/adopting children from parts of the world where hepatitis B is at a high risk 
• People who live in accommodation for people with learning difficulties 
• Foster carers, especially those who are receiving or have received emergency placements.  
• Families adopting children from countries with a high or intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B. 

Individuals at occupational risk of hepatitis B, including:  

• Healthcare workers, trainees and students in the UK and overseas who may be in contact with patients’ blood, blood-stained body fluids or tissues  
• Individuals at risk of injury from blood-contaminated sharp instruments, or of being deliberately injured or bitten by patients  
• Sex workers  
• Laboratory staff who handle material that may contain the hepatitis B virus  
• Staff of residential and other accommodation for those with learning difficulties  
• Prison service staff who are in regular contact with prisoners  
• Police, fire and rescue services (dependent on the potential risk and frequency of exposure)

For more information regarding the hepatitis B vaccination, please contact your nearest branch. You can locate your Allied Pharmacy here