The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and >95% effective in preventing HBV infection. Hepatitis B vaccination involves a series of 3 shots given over 6 months and can provide lifelong immunity against HBV. The hepatitis B vaccine is so effective at preventing HBV and liver cancer that the World Health Organization has declared it the world’s first “anti-cancer vaccine.” The usual schedule is as follows:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all infants at birth and previously un-vaccinated children up to 18 years of age.

In addition to the 3 dose hepatitis B vaccine, a 2 dose hepatitis B vaccine is available for adults with the second dose given 1 month after the first dose. Adult immunization is recommended for:

• Adults aged 19-59 years
  
• Adults aged >= 60 years with risk factors for hepatitis B
• Healthcare and public safety workers
• Household, sex, or needle-sharing contacts of persons infected with HBV
• Intravenous drug users
• Persons with more than one sex partner
• Persons seeking evaluation or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection
• Men who have sex with men
• Persons infected with HIV and/or other sexually transmitted diseases
• Persons with end-stage renal disease or chronic liver disease
• Persons who are incarcerated
• Travelers to regions where hepatitis B is common (Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)