Vaccination against hepatitis B – when should you get vaccinated?

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The hepatitis B vaccine (hepatitis B) is a standard and compulsory vaccine recommended for all newborns and children up to 18 years of age. At the same time, it is very effective – people who are vaccinated are at least 90 percent. less likely to contract hepatitis B than unvaccinated people.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is different hepatitis Bwhich is a disease caused by HBV. Thanks to vaccinations in Poland and Europe, the incidence of hepatitis B is relatively low, but epidemics of this disease still occur in Asian countries and Africa. The prevention of hepatitis B is extremely important due to the risk of serious complications of this disease. As a result of them or in the course of acute infection with the virus, approximately 600–800 thousand people died annually in recent years. people.

Hepatitis B can be infected sexually, through blood (e.g. syringes, transfusions) and perinatal (when a newborn becomes infected from the mother). HBV infection may be asymptomatic, sometimes there are also muscle and joint pain, nausea, change in the color of urine, and jaundice. Although sometimes hepatitis is called jaundice, it is not actually a medically correct term, and jaundice is just a group of symptoms caused by the yellow pigment bilirubin.

Viral hepatitis is classified into different types based on the type of virus that causes the disease. The most common viruses are hepatitis A, B and C, but there are also hepatitis D and hepatitis E. Different types of hepatitis differ in their prevalence, complications and mortality in acute disease. Compulsory vaccinations are performed vaccination against hepatitis Band complementary advice is also recommended vaccination against hepatitis A.

1. Read more about hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Complications of hepatitis B

In many cases, it is possible to recover completely from hepatitis B. However, acute and fulminant hepatitis can also occur, and are associated with the risk of loss of life. Dangerously complications also apply chronic hepatitis B. Patients develop cirrhosis over time, and the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma increases. Chronic nodular arteritis and glomerulonephritis are also rarely observed.

Women who are carriers of HBV may have children, but appropriate testing is recommended. The viral load is determined, i.e. the level of viruses in a milliliter of blood.

Vaccination hepatitis B – neonatal vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis B in Poland is compulsory vaccination, which is administered to all newborns. Compulsory vaccine in newborns consists of three separate doses. The first dose is given to babies within the first 2 hours after they are born, the second in 7 months, and the third in 25 months of their life. A complete series of injections provides high protection efficiency for at least XNUMX years of life. Practice shows that immunization usually lasts for the rest of the vaccinated person’s life.

In children, a combined 6in1 vaccination is also possible, i.e. against hepatitis B and polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Such an early vaccination is necessary due to the long, often asymptomatic period of developing liver diseases caused by hepatitis B. to life-threatening cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Vaccination with hepatitis B – when should you get vaccinated?

If we did not get involved in the compulsory vaccination program and did not participate in vaccination of hepatitis B, it is especially worth considering if we are at risk of:

1. who work in centers where there is a risk of contact with someone’s blood (hospitals, prison staff, dentists and laboratory workers),
2. injecting themselves with drugs or drugs, or having a partner who does it
3. undergoing regular blood transfusions,
4. frequently changing sexual partners,
5. to babies born to mothers infected with the virus.

Being outside the risk group does not exclude the possibility of contracting hepatitis B infection, therefore vaccination is recommended for all those who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B in the neonatal period or at a young age. As part of the National Health Fund, there is compulsory vaccination of employees of medical facilities and prisons. This also applies to people infected with the hepatitis C virus. Vaccination against hepatitis B may also be indicated in people who have not been vaccinated before and are due to undergo surgery. Such prophylaxis is also recommended for unvaccinated women who are planning a pregnancy – according to the generally accepted principle, vaccination of pregnant women is avoided. They are also performed by people planning trips abroad, especially to regions with an increased epidemiological risk related to hepatitis B.

If we are not vaccinated not only against hepatitis B, but also against hepatitis A, it is worth considering using a combined vaccine. It is a two-component preparation that allows you to be vaccinated against both of these diseases.

Vaccination against hepatitis B – safety

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effectively builds the body’s resistance to HBV. It has been compulsory in Poland since 1994. Since the introduction of the neonatal immunization program, new cases of this type of hepatitis today only amount to 4 to 9 cases per 100 per year. As with other vaccinations, there is a small risk of an adverse vaccine reaction, which in most cases is limited to mild reactions, including low-grade fever and redness and swelling around the injection site.

There is no possibility of contracting hepatitis B during vaccination against this disease. There are no confirmed studies that could link the hepatitis B vaccine to infant death, autism or neurological disorders.

Effectiveness of vaccination against hepatitis B

The highest effectiveness of vaccination against hepatitis B is observed when it is administered to newborns, but very high effectiveness is also observed in adults. In adulthood, it is worth measuring the level of HBV antibodies, especially if we belong to the high-risk group. The lower effectiveness of the vaccine is likely in obese, elderly, heavy smokers, diabetics or people with immunodeficiency.

Reimbursement of hepatitis B vaccination

The vaccine against hepatitis B belongs to the group of compulsory vaccinations, therefore it is free of charge when we perform it in accordance with the vaccination schedule. The Ministry also reimburses this vaccination for students and students of medical universities, medical professionals, as well as people infected with hepatitis C or at risk of infection through contact with a sick person or carrier of HBV.

If we are not entitled to free vaccination against hepatitis B, we can get vaccinated for a fee. One dose of the vaccine for hepatitis B infection costs about 40-80 zlotys. The higher price applies to the combined vaccine (against hepatitis A and hepatitis B), as one dose (three are needed) can cost 170-240 PLN.

Vaccination against hepatitis B – preparation

Before each vaccination, it is necessary to qualify a child or an adult patient for the procedure. The doctor may decide to postpone the hepatitis B vaccination in some circumstances.

In adults who have not been vaccinated before against hepatitis B, the procedure temporarily prevents the current disease, especially those with high fever. You should then wait for the patient to recover. Temporarily withholding vaccination may also be necessary in the event of exacerbation of symptoms associated with a patient’s chronic diseases. The patient should inform the doctor about these conditions, as well as about any medications and allergies, during an interview prior to vaccination.

In addition to carrying out qualification for vaccination against hepatitis B there is no need to prepare for the procedure.

Anytime you want to support the work of your liver, you can order dietary supplements that will have a positive effect on it. Try, for example, Baicalin – the Baikal thyroid – Doctor Life dietary supplement, which additionally regulates cholesterol levels and even has acne-alleviating properties.