Is There a Vaccine for Hepatitis B: Doses and Immunity
Content last reviewed 2026-09-12 · Educational information — not medical advice
Quick answer
Yes — a safe, effective hepatitis B vaccine exists and is given as a 3-dose series. It's the best protection against the virus, and immunity is confirmed when your anti-HBs level is 10 mIU/mL or higher. The vaccine is recommended for everyone, especially infants and people at higher risk.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B?
Yes. The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines in medicine and has been used for decades. It's recommended for all infants at birth, plus children, teens, and adults who haven't been vaccinated — especially people at higher risk like healthcare workers, people with multiple sexual partners, and people who inject drugs. It's also part of routine childhood immunization schedules, which is why new hepatitis B infections have fallen so dramatically.
How many doses do you need?
The standard schedule is a 3-dose series, typically given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months for infants. Adults usually get doses at 0, 1, and 6 months. The series builds durable immunity, and completing all three doses is what provides full, long-lasting protection. Some newer two-dose formulations exist for adults, but the classic series is three shots. Missing a dose doesn't mean starting over — you just continue from where you left off.
How do I know if I'm immune?
Immunity is confirmed with a quantitative hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) test. A level of 10 mIU/mL or higher means you're protected. If your level is below that, a clinician may recommend a booster dose or a repeat series. This titer test is also used to check immunity in healthcare workers and people who were vaccinated years ago but want confirmation before travel or new exposure risk.
How long does the vaccine last?
For most people, the hepatitis B vaccine provides long-lasting, often lifelong protection after the full series. Routine boosters aren't recommended for healthy people with documented immunity. If you're unsure whether you're still protected — or whether you ever completed the series — a quantitative anti-HBs test settles it. Immunity can wane in some people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, which is why titer checks exist.
Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?
Everyone who hasn't been vaccinated, per CDC guidance. Priority groups include all infants, healthcare and public-safety workers, people with multiple sexual partners or an STI history, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people with chronic liver or kidney disease, travelers to high-prevalence regions, and household contacts of people with hepatitis B. If you're unsure of your vaccination history, a titer test can tell you whether you're already protected.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a hepatitis B booster?
Most people with a completed series and documented immunity don't need boosters. A titer below 10 mIU/mL may warrant one, so testing is the way to know.
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
Yes. It's been used for decades with an excellent safety record and is recommended for infants at birth, making it one of the most studied vaccines in use.