Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule: What You Need to Know
Whether you’re a parent planning your child’s immunizations or a traveler seeking protection abroad, understanding the hepatitis B vaccine schedule is essential. Hepatitis B is a contagious liver infection that can become chronic, leading to serious complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection. Below, we break down the schedules recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and accelerated options for those on a tight timeline.
Why the Hepatitis B Vaccine Matters
Prevents chronic infection. Without vaccination, 90% of infected infants and 2–6% of infected adults develop chronic hepatitis B, raising the lifetime risk of liver disease and cancer.
Stops transmission. A timely birth dose and completion of the series block mother-to-child and household spread.
Long-lasting protection. Studies show one complete series provides immunity for decades, often lifelong, without routine boosters in healthy individuals
Professional GP advice, anytime, anywhere
Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to chronic disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines are widely available in the UK. Whether you’re a parent planning your baby’s immunisations or a traveller needing protection on short notice, understanding the hepatitis B vaccine schedule is key to ensuring timely and lasting immunity.
1. Routine Infant Schedule
All UK babies receive the 6-in-1 vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib and hepatitis B) as part of the NHS childhood immunisation programme. This offers excellent early protection without extra injections specifically for hepatitis B:
8 weeks old – 1st dose of 6-in-1 (includes hepatitis B)
12 weeks old – 2nd dose of 6-in-1 (includes hepatitis B)
16 weeks old – 3rd dose of 6-in-1 (includes hepatitis B)
Babies at Higher Risk
If your baby’s mother has hepatitis B, additional “monovalent” hepatitis B doses are recommended to further reduce the chance of transmission:
Within 24 hours of birth – monovalent hepatitis B vaccine
4 weeks old – monovalent hepatitis B vaccine
12 months old – monovalent hepatitis B vaccine
After this schedule, serology (antibody) testing is usually performed at around 14 months to confirm protective levels.
2. Catch-Up & Adult Standard Schedule
For older children, adolescents or adults who missed infant doses (e.g., recent immigrants, healthcare workers, certain clinical risk groups), the standard adult monovalent hepatitis B schedule applies:
0 months (day of 1st dose)
1 month after 1st dose
6 months after 1st dose
Three doses at 0, 1 and 6 months generate high rates of long-lasting immunity in healthy individuals.
3. Accelerated & Rapid Schedules for Travellers
If you’re travelling to a country where hepatitis B is common and time is tight, UK guidelines support faster schedules:
Accelerated 4-dose schedule
0, 1 and 2 months (three doses)
12 months (booster)
Very rapid (super-accelerated) schedule
Day 0, Day 7, Day 21 (three doses)
12 months later (booster)
These options are ideal for travellers on short notice or those at immediate risk, and can be given using either a monovalent hepatitis B vaccine or the combined hepatitis A+B vaccine.
Tip for Travellers: If you opt for the combined hepatitis A+B vaccine, the rapid 0-7-21 day schedule with a 12-month booster covers both infections.
4. Follow-Up & Test of Immunity
For infants born to hepatitis B–infected mothers, it’s important to check their antibody response once the primary course is complete — typically around 14 months of age, to ensure they have developed sufficient protection against the virus. This simple blood test confirms whether additional doses or specialist follow up are needed. In contrast, healthy older children and adults who have received all three doses according to the standard schedule will almost invariably achieve long lasting immunity, so routine antibody testing or booster injections is not required unless there are unusual risk factors or a documented waning of protection.
5. Practical Tips & Booking
NHS appointments: Infant and at-risk schedules are free via your GP or community clinic.
Travel clinics: For accelerated schedules, book at least 4–6 weeks before departure to allow time for all doses and the necessary booster.
Record keeping: Keep your child’s red book updated, or ask for a vaccination card if you’re an adult; you may need proof for work or travel.
Why Timeliness Matters
Delays between vaccine doses can reduce effectiveness. Sticking closely to the recommended intervals ensures you or your child develops strong, lasting protection against hepatitis B.
Whether you’re planning your baby’s first immunisations or gearing up for international travel, following the UK’s hepatitis B vaccine schedule will help keep you and your family protected. If you have any doubts, check with your GP, practice nurse or local travel-health clinic to confirm the most suitable schedule for your circumstances.
Disclaimer: Medical advice, diagnostic tests, and treatment recommendations for HBV (or any health condition) can vary depending on where you live, the resources of your local healthcare system, and updated guidelines. The information provided here is meant to give a broad overview of how HBV is generally recognized and managed, but it does not replace a personalized evaluation. You must consult with a qualified healthcare professional in your region for an accurate diagnosis, up-to-date testing methods, and a plan tailored to your specific circumstances.
**This is not medical advice
