Hepatitis B Vaccine
Who
should get hepatitis B vaccine and when?
- Everyone 18 years of age and younger
- Adults over 18 who are at risk
Adults at risk for hepatitis B virus infection include people
who have more than one sex partner, men who have sex with other men, injection drug users,
health care workers, and others who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.
People should get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. All
three doses are needed for full and lasting immunity.
Hepatitis B vaccine may be given at the same time as other
vaccines.
Some people should not
get hepatitis B vaccine or should wait...
People should not get hepatitis B vaccine
if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to baker's yeast (the kind used
for making bread) or to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
People who are moderately or severly ill at
the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting
hepatitis B vaccine.
What are the risks
from hepatitis B vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious
problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of hepatitis B vaccine causing
serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Mild Problems
- soreness where the shot was given, lasting a day or two
- mild to moderate fever
Severe Problems
School Entry Requirement
Calcasieu
Parish requires proof of Hepatitis B vaccination for all "first time
enterers" into the school system or evidence of an immunization program in
progress. "First time enterers" include:
- All children entering kindergarten, or first grade for the
first time.
- A person transferring from one school system into another
regardless of grade/age. (Private to public)
- A person transferring from one parish school system into
another regardless of grade/age.
- A person transferring from out of state and enrolling in
school regardless of grade/age.
- A student is considered a "first time enterer" for
the duration of his/her school year.
The Hepatitis B series includes (3) injections and is a
requirement for kindergarteners to enter Calcasieu Parish Schools.
For more information on Calcasieu Parish School Immunization
Requirements, click here |
