Hepatitis B is a serious virus, and the resulting infection affects the liver. Each year the virus causes 2,000 to 4,000 deaths in the US from cirrhosis or liver cancer. It is easily spread through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person. People can also be infected from contact with a contaminated object for up to 7 days.
Children are routinely vaccinated for Hepatitis B. All unvaccinated adults at risk should also be vaccinated. These include:
- People with chronic liver or kidney disease
- People under 60 with diabetes
- People with HIV infection
- People with jobs that expose them to human blood or other body fluids
- People who inject street drugs
- Sex partners of people with the virus
- People with more than one sex partner
- People who travel to countries where the virus is common
Adults receive 3 doses of the vaccine with a second dose given 4 weeks after the first and the third dose 5 months after the second.
Contact us by phone, send us a note, or come by the store for more information on Hepatitis B vaccine. Our professional staff is ready to help you.