Hepatitis B vaccine

A MinuteClinic provider can talk with you about your risk for getting hepatitis B and answer your questions about the vaccine. Your MinuteClinic provider can also give you the vaccine injection if you decide it is right for you.

1. You may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment

   If you made your appointment online
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for the visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you will be provided with a visit summary, a receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can live outside of the body for up to 7 days, so most people get it directly from contact with blood and fluids from people who have the virus. Common ways for the virus to spread include:

• Accidental needle prick
• Direct contact with blood or open sores of an infected person
• Having sex with an infected person
• Sharing drug equipment (needles, syringes, etc.)
• Sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person

Newborn babies are at risk of getting hepatitis B if their mothers have the virus. Hepatitis B is not spread through food, water, breastfeeding, hugging, coughing or sneezing.

The signs and symptoms of hepatitis B vary based on age and health status. Children under 5 years old and people who have weak immune systems may not show any symptoms at all. The older a person is, the more likely they are to experience severe symptoms. Healthy individuals over 5 years old may have symptoms that include:

• Abdominal (stomach) pain
• Clay-colored stool
• Dark-colored urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes)
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Hepatitis B can be a lasting problem for about 5-10% of adults who get the virus. Over 90% of adults who get the hepatitis B virus are able to get better after 1 year without help.

Infants born to infected mothers and all unvaccinated children 18 years old and younger should get the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all adults 19 to 59 years old. Those who are 60 or older may receive a hepatitis B vaccine series and it’s recommended for those with the following risk factors:

• Anyone on dialysis (kidney support)
• Anyone traveling to a place where the virus is common
• Anyone who needs blood or blood products (blood transfusions)
• Chronic liver disease
• Current or recent injection drug use
• Exposure to blood
• Health care workers (doctors, nurses, etc.)
• HIV infection
• Incarceration
• Men who have sex with men
• Recreational injection drug users
• Sex partners of people who have the virus
• Sexual exposure risk
• Travel to countries with high rates of hepatitis B

There is no specific cure for hepatitis B. Certain medicines can slow the virus down and lower the chances of getting liver cancer, but they cannot cure the disease. These are also very expensive medications. The vaccine was made to prevent hepatitis B infection from happening in the first place. It is very affordable.