How Does the Hepatitis B Vaccine Work?
The vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus by making your body’s immune system develop antibodies. The antibodies will protect you by fighting off the virus if you ever come in contact with it in the future. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of three shots. The first and second shot are given one month apart. The third shot is usually given six months after the first shot. If you miss your second or third shot, get it as soon as possible. The vaccine has been very successful. In fact, the number of people who get HBV each year has dropped from 260,000 in the 1980s to 46,000 in 2006. Extra Protection There is a vaccine for people at risk for hepatitis A, too. And there is a vaccine against both hepatitis A and B that can be used for people 18 and older. The combination vaccine reduces the total number of shots from 5 to 3. Ask your health care provider about your options. +- Should I Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine? Should My Child Get It? Today, the hepatitis B vaccine i
