Hepatitis B (Hep B) Vaccine in North Vancouver & West Vancouver

The Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for the following population:

- All children through school or infant immunization programs
- Individuals at higher risk of exposure, and includes:
- Individuals with infected sexual partners
- Those with multiple partners or recent STIs
- People who inject drugs
- Men who have sex with men
- Household contacts of infected individuals
- Healthcare or public safety workers exposed to blood
- Infants born to infected mothers
- Travelers visiting countries with high HBV endemicity areas
- Individuals with certain medical conditions (chronic liver disease, solid organ transplant recipients, chronic kidney disease, etc.)

*Please note that this list is not exhaustive. To confirm whether you need to get the Hepatitis B vaccine, please give us a call at our clinic at 604-971-5163.

True contraindications to the vaccination are very few. It should not be given to anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous Hep-B vaccine dose or to any of its components (such as yeast).

Individuals who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover. Mild illness (like a cold) is not a reason to delay. Overall, the vaccine is considered very safe, and most people can receive it without problems.

For primary vaccination series (given in infancy), children receive a series of 3 doses at: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months.

Adolescents (11 to 15 years) will need 2 doses at 0, and 6 months.

Children (less than 11 years), adolescents (16 to 19 years) and adults not previously immunized will need 3 doses:
- Dose 1
- Dose 2 – 1 month after dose #1
- Dose 3 – 6 to 12 months after dose #2

Once the vaccine series have been completed, most individuals do not need a booster in their lifetime (unless required specifically for schooling or employment purposes).

The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and most side effects are mild and short-lived. Common reactions include: pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, along with possible mild fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle pain. Serious reactions, such as severe allergic responses, are extremely rare.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is free for many (children and individuals at high risk of exposure), but not universally free for everyone. The vaccine is covered for people who meet certain eligibility criteria.

In BC, the Hepatitis B vaccine has been part of the publicly funded immunization program since 1992 and is provided at no cost to all children during their infancy. Catch-up programs are often available in Grade 6 for those who have missed their vaccinations.

It is also provided for free to people at higher risk of exposure to hepatitis B because of lifestyle, medical, or occupational factors (e.g., health care workers with blood exposure, people with certain medical conditions, or other high‑risk groups identified in immunization guidelines). Students of certain health care professions are also eligible for the publicly funded vaccine. Eligible people can receive these free vaccines through public health clinics or pharmacies that participate in the publicly funded program. To find out whether you're eligible for the publicly-funded vaccine, please contact us.

If you don't fall into these groups, you can still get the vaccine, but you'll need to pay for it privately. Some private insurance or extended health benefit plans may cover the cost of the vaccine or reimburse you for it. Coverage varies by plan, so you should check with your provider before booking or you can give us a call and we can check for you.

No, you do not need a prescription from your doctor to receive the vaccine. Simply book an appointment with us and our pharmacist or nurse will provide the vaccine.

For children under the age of 4, please call the clinic directly as we will need to book your child in with one of our registered nurses.