Hepatitis vaccination

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 3, 2015

The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of three doses, set a certain amount of time apart. For some people who don't complete the series or wait too long between injections, restarting the entire series may be required.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 3, 2015

We do 4 doses, 40mcg IM each, given in two shots, one in each arm. Most people sero-convert but some never do. That is a problem if you have a Hep B positive patient, you have to seat them specially (in an isolation room) and have caregivers for the Hep B patient and immune patients, only, care for them. (dedicated staff).

It is absolutely critical all dialysis patients either be immune to Hep B, or receive the vaccine, for obvious reasons.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 3, 2015

Also, sometimes patients who were immune, become low in antibodies and have to have the series again. We check Hep B surface antigen and antibody status on all new admissions, and everyone else, every year. We also check staff for immunity and those who are not, need the series as well.

paolo962000 · Jul 28, 2015

Hello JEEE,

In our center, we follow the 40mcg and 4 series rule. We give 40 mcg in one shot, given at one arm intramuscular.

The rule is that if the HBS Titer count is more than 10 mIU/mL, there's no need to vaccinate. If the titer count is more than 1mIU/mL but less than 5mIU/mL, we should give booster doses. And when the titer count is 0.00mIU/mL, we should give the complete series.

Series means the vaccine is given 0,1,2,6 months. This means 0 is the start, next dose is 1 month after start, then next is 2 months after the start, fourth dose is 6 months after first dose.

I hope this helps. =)