Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that affects the liver and spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids. While some people recover quickly, others develop chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

At Ready Health Clinic in Standish, we offer hepatitis B vaccinations, including accelerated schedules for travellers, healthcare workers, and those at increased risk.

🧫 What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is most commonly transmitted through:

Unprotected sexual contact
Sharing needles or drug equipment
Needlestick injuries
Blood-to-blood contact
From mother to baby during childbirth (perinatal transmission)

Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B can become a chronic infection, especially if the virus is contracted at a young age.

💡 Did you know? An estimated 296 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B, and 820,000 people died in 2019 due to hepatitis B-related complications.

🤒 Symptoms of Hepatitis B

Symptoms don’t always appear, especially in young children. When they do, they often occur 40 to 160 days after exposure.

Common symptoms include:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Fever
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Dark urine or pale stools

🧬 Chronic Hepatitis B Risk by Age

Age at Infection	Risk of Developing Chronic Hepatitis B
Under 1 year	80–90%
Under 6 years	30–50%
Age 18+	Less than 5%

Chronic infection increases the risk of:

Liver cirrhosis
Liver cancer
Liver failure

🌍 Where Is Hepatitis B a Higher Risk?

Hepatitis B is present worldwide, but particularly common in:

Western Pacific region (e.g. China, Vietnam, Philippines)
Africa
Middle East
South-East Asia
Parts of Eastern Europe and South America

Travellers to these areas are at increased risk and may need vaccination.

💉 Hepatitis B Vaccines Available in the UK

The UK offers both monovalent hepatitis B vaccines (HBV only) and combined hepatitis A+B vaccines. All are inactivated and safe for use in adults and children.

✅ Monovalent Hepatitis B Vaccines:

Vaccine	Schedule	Age Range
Engerix B®	3 doses (0, 1, 6 months); accelerated and super-accelerated schedules available	Infants to adults
Fendrix®	4 doses at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months (for people with kidney conditions)	Age 15+
HBVAXPRO®	Available in 5, 10, and 40 μg strengths depending on age and medical need	Infants to adults
HEPLISAV-B®	2 doses 1 month apart (fast protection)	Age 18+

✅ Combined Hepatitis A + B Vaccines:

Vaccine	Schedule	Age Range
Ambirix®	2 doses 6–12 months apart	Age 1–15
Twinrix® Adult	3 doses (0, 1, 6 months); 4-dose rapid schedule available	Age 16+
Twinrix® Paediatric	3 doses (0, 1, 6 months)	Age 1–15

📌 Your clinician will recommend the best option based on your age, risk level, and travel destination.

⏱ Accelerated and Super-Accelerated Schedules

Need protection fast before travelling? Some vaccines offer quicker schedules, such as:

Engerix B® super-accelerated: 3 doses over 21 days + booster at 12 months
HEPLISAV-B: 2 doses, 1 month apart
Twinrix® Adult rapid: 3 doses over 21 days + booster at 12 months

Perfect for last-minute trips, healthcare work abroad, or high-risk exposure.

🛡️ Who Should Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:

Travellers to high-risk countries
Healthcare professionals and emergency responders
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
People who inject drugs
Sexual partners of someone with HBV
People with liver or kidney disease
Babies born to hepatitis B-positive mothers

📋 Summary Table

Key Info	Details
Disease	Hepatitis B (HBV)
Transmission	Blood, body fluids, sexual contact
Risk areas	Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East
Symptoms	Jaundice, nausea, fever, fatigue
Chronic risk	High in infants; low in adults
Vaccine available	Yes – multiple options including rapid schedules
Incubation period	40–160 days

Protect Yourself – Book a Hepatitis B Vaccine at Ready Health Clinic

At Ready Health Clinic in Standish, we offer:
✅ Monovalent and combined hepatitis B vaccines
✅ Accelerated and last-minute protection schedules
✅ Expert travel and occupational risk advice
✅ Vaccination for children, adults, and vulnerable groups

📞 Call us or book online to schedule your vaccine today.
📍 Serving Standish, Wigan, Chorley, Bolton, and Horwich.