Who could benefit from vaccination against hepatitis B?

Vaccination against hepatitis B could be useful for various groups of people:

• Children
  Hepatitis B can be dangerous to young children. That is why children are vaccinated against hepatitis B through the National Immunisation Programme at 3, 5 and 12 months old.
• Risk groups
  Hepatitis B is more common among sex workers and men who have sex with men. As a result, these groups can be vaccinated through the hepatitis B vaccination programme for risk groups.
• People who are at higher risk at work
  People who have frequent contact with blood, wound exudate or saliva in the course of their work, such as care workers, are at higher risk for hepatitis B. These people can get vaccinated through their work.
• Other people

People can also be vaccinated against hepatitis B at their own request. For example, they may want to be vaccinated if they are planning to travel abroad. If you get a vaccination at your own request, you pay for it yourself.

You do not need a vaccination if you have already had hepatitis B before, since you already have antibodies against the virus in your body. If you are not sure if you have had hepatitis B, you can contact your GP to arrange a blood test.

Which hepatitis B vaccine is available?

Various vaccines against hepatitis B are authorised in the Netherlands. Some of these vaccines also protect against other diseases. See the overview of authorised hepatitis B vaccines (in Dutch).

Please note that a vaccine that is authorised may not automatically also be available in the Netherlands.  

How effective is the vaccine against hepatitis B?

If you have had three vaccinations against hepatitis B, you are protected against the virus for the rest of your life. It is very unlikely that you could still get the virus after that. It is good to know that vaccines never offer 100% protection. The vaccine may work less effectively for some people. People with morbid obesity or impaired immunity are often less well protected after vaccination. The vaccine often works less well for people over 40 and people who smoke.

Are you in one of these groups, and concerned that the vaccine may work less well for you?  Or do you need to be vaccinated because of your profession? 4 to 8 weeks after the third vaccination, you can have a test to check if the vaccination was effective. This test is usually done by the doctor or nurse who gave you the vaccinations. It checks how high your antibody levels are. If your body has not produced enough antibodies against the virus, you may be able to get extra vaccinations.

Most hepatitis B vaccines only protect you against hepatitis B. There are three combined vaccines – Twinrix Adult, Twinrix Paediatric and Ambirix – that also protect against hepatitis A. The vaccines do not protect against other types, such as hepatitis C and E.

What are possible side effects of vaccination against hepatitis B?

The safety of the hepatitis B vaccine has been tested extensively. Like all other vaccines that have been approved for use in the Netherlands, it was found to be safe. The hepatitis B vaccine can cause mild side effects. This is normal and can be expected after all vaccinations. Examples include redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Other than that, the most common side effects are:

• drowsiness
• headache
• muscle pain
• fever

Most symptoms are mild and go away on their own. There are no indications that the hepatitis B vaccine causes severe or permanent symptoms. It is possible that you could be allergic to specific ingredients in the vaccine. Severe allergic reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare.

For a complete overview of the side effects, see the vaccine package leaflet. Or visit the website of the Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

Is vaccination against hepatitis B covered by insurance?

Some people can get a free vaccination against hepatitis B. Children can be vaccinated through the National Immunisation Programme, for example, and risk groups can be vaccinated free of charge. For others, vaccination against hepatitis B is not always covered by basic health insurance. However, some health insurers will cover the vaccination on the basis of supplementary health insurance. Check with your health insurer to see if you are insured for vaccination against hepatitis B.

Where can I get a vaccination against hepatitis B?

If you would like you or your child to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, you can contact the GP or your doctor, youth healthcare services, a vaccination centre, or a travellers vaccination clinic.