Hepatitis B is a major cause of liver cancer, and hepatitis B vaccine can prevent the disease. Therefore, hepatitis B vaccine is the first vaccine that prevents cancer.

The Disease

Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver. It is one of several hepatitis diseases (for example, hepatitis A and hepatitis C). These are caused by different germs, but are similar in that they all affect the liver ("hepatitis" comes from the Greek words for "liver" and "inflammation")...

(more about the symptoms and way its spread)

The Immunization

You can protect children from hepatitis B by getting them vaccinated with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Newborn babies whose mothers either are infected with the hepatitis B virus or have not been tested should get their first shot within 12 hours of birth, the second shot at 1-2 months of age, and the third shot at 6 months of age. Other babies can get their first shot between birth and 2 months of age, the second at 1-4 months of age, and the third at 6-18 months of age...

(more about the immunization and side effects)

Vaccine Recommendations

• AAP: Endorsement of CDC Recommendations
• CDC: A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States (Exit Site)

Quick Facts - What You Need to Know

• Why get vaccinated?
• How is hepatitis B virus spread?
• Who should get hepatitis B vaccine and when?
• Some people should not get hepatitis B vaccine or should wait.
• What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?
• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

Other Resources

• AAP Preference for Birth Dose of Hepatitis B
• CDC Hepatitis B Page (Exit Site)
• Immunization Action Coalition Hepatitis B Page (Exit Site)
• National Network for Immunization Information Hepatitis B Page (Exit Site)
• PKIDS Report for Families Whose Children Have Hepatitis
• Support for the Universal Hepatitis B Birth Dose Policy (Exit Site)