Hepatitis B: Make Sure Your Child Has Been Fully Vaccinated

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can affect anyone. Prior to the implementation of routine hepatitis B vaccination of children, more than 200,000 people of all ages became infected with hepatitis B virus each year in the United States. Some persons who become infected never get rid of the virus and are at risk for developing cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer. Each year, about 3,000–5,000 persons will die as a result of this chronic (long-lasting) disease.

Good News

The good news is that a vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B, and it is strongly endorsed by medical and public health experts as safe and effective. All children aged 0-18 years should receive the hepatitis B vaccine series, along with the more than 10 other vaccines included on the Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0-18 Years. (See the 2007 childhood immunization schedules for recommended timing of hepatitis B series and other vaccines.) Many states require hepatitis B vaccination before school entry. Visit the Immunization Action Coalition Web site, which features a list of hepatitis B vaccination requirements by state. (This list is also available in Spanish.)

Most children receive the three-dose vaccine series as infants, with the first vaccination given soon after birth. Check your child's medical records to see whether he or she has already received hepatitis B vaccine, or ask your pediatrician. If not, be sure to add it to your "back to school" list. It's not too late!

For families with health insurance, all or most of the cost of vaccines is usually covered. Children age 18 and younger may be eligible to get vaccines for free through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if they are: Medicaid eligible; uninsured; or American Indian or Alaska Native. Doctors can charge a fee to give each shot. However, VFC vaccines cannot be denied to an eligible child if the family cannot afford the fee. To learn more about the VFC program, visit the website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ or contact your State VFC Coordinator. A list of VFC Coordinators is available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/contacts.htm.

More information and resources on hepatitis B vaccination and other vaccinations for persons 0-18.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine Fact Sheet [English or Spanish]
• Hepatitis B Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Vaccine Information Statement) [English or Spanish] ( 2 pages / 58 KB)
• All Kids Need Hepatitis B Shots (from Immunization Action Coalition) ( 2 pages / 110 KB)
• Infants and Toddlers Vaccine Topics
• Pre-teens and Adolescents Vaccines Topics

Learn about the most common viral hepatitis infections in the United States

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A can affect anyone. In the United States, hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have the disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.