Your one stop Vaccination Clinic

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine

We provide a full range of travel vaccinations and medication

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, including through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during birth. The infection occurs worldwide but is most common in East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Amazon, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and parts of southern, eastern, and central Europe. Acute hepatitis B can, in rare cases, lead to fulminant hepatic necrosis, which is often fatal.

Vaccination Pricing

£55 Per dose
£165 Per Course of 3

Signs & Symptoms

In the majority of cases of hepatitis B symptoms do not occur.

Symptoms more commonly occur in adults than children and may include:

  • Fatigue

  • Fever

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Abdominal pain (especially near the liver)

  • Dark urine

  • Pale stools

  • Jaundice

Would you like to find out if you have immunity to Hepatitis B?

We now provide an in-clinic Hepatitis immunity blood test for £49.00

Hawne Chemist & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 0121 501 3518

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

177 Stourbridge Rd, Halesowen, B63 3UD

Bills Pharmacy & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01384 872117

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

29 High St, Kinver, Stourbridge, DY7 6HF

Millard and Bullock Chemist & Travel Clinic

General Contact & Travel Vaccination

Tel: 01902 883 182

Email: westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

westmidstravelclinic@raylane.co.uk

Castle Street, Bilston, WV14 9DD

The Vaccination – Hepatitis B vaccine

Ages (Years) Doses Required Schedule Time before travel Boost required at
2 – 15 3 to 4 (paed) 0, 1, 2months + at 1 year** Up to day before* 5 years
16 – 85 3 to 4 0, 7, 21days + at 1 year** Up to day before* 5 years

*Vaccine most effective if given time to become active. Some immunity will be provided for this vaccine if given up to the day before travel.

** accelerated schedule shown. See Pharmacist for 16-18 years old accelerated schedule.

 

Hepatits A & Hepatitis B Combined vaccine

Ages (Years) Doses Required Schedule Time before travel Boost required at
16-85 3 to 4 0, 7, 21 days, + at 1 year** Up to day before* See specialist pharmacist

*Vaccine most effective when given plenty of time to develop immunity. Some immunity will be present if the vaccine is given up to the day before travel.

**accelerated schedule. Full protection not given until final dose at 1 year. Will give adequate protection if leaving sooner.

Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which targets the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic disease. Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B is often more severe and has the potential to cause long-term complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer). The virus is found in blood and bodily fluids and is highly infectious—about 50 to 100 times more contagious than HIV. Some individuals infected with hepatitis B recover fully within a few months, especially if the infection occurs during adulthood. However, in others—particularly those infected at birth or in early childhood—the virus can remain in the body, resulting in a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical monitoring and sometimes antiviral treatment. Hepatitis B is a global public health concern, with millions of people living with the infection worldwide, many of whom are unaware they are carriers.

Hepatitis B is primarily spread through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. This can occur through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or syringes, unsafe medical or dental procedures, and from mother to baby during childbirth. It can also be transmitted through accidental needle-stick injuries or the sharing of personal items like razors or toothbrushes that may be contaminated with blood. Unlike hepatitis A, it is not spread through contaminated food or water. Prevention of hepatitis B is highly effective through vaccination, which is routinely given to infants in many countries and is also recommended for adults at increased risk, including healthcare workers, travellers to high-prevalence regions, people with multiple sexual partners, and individuals with chronic liver disease. In addition to vaccination, other preventative measures include practising safe sex, avoiding the sharing of needles, and ensuring that medical and cosmetic procedures (such as tattooing or piercing) are performed with sterile equipment.

The symptoms of hepatitis B can vary significantly, with many people—particularly children and newly infected adults—showing few or no signs at all. When symptoms do appear, they usually develop within one to four months after exposure. Early symptoms are often non-specific and may include fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a loss of appetite. As the liver becomes inflamed, more distinct signs may emerge, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, pale stools, and joint pain. Acute hepatitis B typically resolves on its own, but in some cases—especially when contracted in early life—the virus remains in the body, leading to chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B may remain silent for years, slowly damaging the liver without obvious symptoms until serious complications arise. For this reason, regular screening and monitoring are essential for people at risk or those living with the virus.

The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most effective methods of protection and typically provides long-lasting immunity. The standard course consists of three doses administered over a six-month period, although accelerated schedules are also available for travellers or those requiring quicker protection. Once the full course is completed, studies show that immunity lasts for at least 20 years, and likely for life in the majority of individuals with a healthy immune system. Routine boosters are not generally recommended for most people unless they are at continual high risk of exposure or have a weakened immune system. In some professions—such as healthcare—it may be advisable to check antibody levels over time and provide booster doses if immunity has waned. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, providing protection without ever being exposed to the real infection.

Hepatitis B is endemic in many parts of the world, particularly in areas of East and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, parts of the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. In these regions, the virus is commonly transmitted from mother to child or between young children. Travellers to these countries are at increased risk, especially if they plan to stay long-term, work in healthcare settings, have close contact with local populations, or engage in activities that increase the risk of exposure to blood or bodily fluids. Even short-term travellers may be at risk if they require medical or dental treatment abroad, get tattoos or piercings, or engage in unprotected sex. Countries such as China, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are among those where the infection is particularly widespread, and vaccination is strongly recommended before visiting.

The hepatitis B vaccine is considered extremely safe and is widely used around the world. Most people experience no side effects, and when they do occur, they are generally mild and short-lived. The most common reaction is pain or redness at the injection site, which typically resolves within a day or two. Some individuals may experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or general aches, which are signs that the body is responding to the vaccine. Serious allergic reactions are exceptionally rare. The vaccine does not contain live virus, so it cannot cause hepatitis B. For individuals who are allergic to components of the vaccine, such as yeast, alternative options may need to be considered. Overall, the benefits of vaccination (particularly the prevention of a potentially life-threatening liver infection) vastly outweigh any risks associated with side effects.

Use the map below to identify areas of risk for travel.

Simply call the clinic of your choice or send us an email enquiry, and our travel specialists will get back to you as soon as possible.

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The West Midlands Travel Clinic offers a wide range of vaccines and travel vaccinations.

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We are pleased to offer same-day appointments at the West Midlands Travel Clinic, to ensure you receive prompt and efficient care when you need it most.

Expert Pharmacists

Our team includes expert pharmacists who are dedicated to providing you with personalised and professional healthcare advice.

Competitive Pricing

We offer competitive pricing on our vaccinations to ensure that essential healthcare is both affordable and accessible to everyone.

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