Hepatitis B: the green book, chapter 18
Hepatitis B immunisation information for public health professionals.
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Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Many individuals with a new infection with hepatitis B may have a sub-clinical or a flu-like illness. Jaundice only occurs in about 10% of younger children and in 30 to 50% of adults. Acute infection may occasionally lead to fulminant hepatic necrosis, which is often fatal.
Updates to this page
Published 20 March 2013Last updated 14 August 2024 + show all updates
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Corrected table numbers in table headings.
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Corrected contents of PreHevBri.
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Updated to remove the single booster dose in healthy immunocompetent adults who have completed a primary course, advice for pre-exposure vaccination of recipients of solid organ transplants, more detail on assessing occupational risk and inclusion of 2 new adult vaccines. Signposting to clinical guidance on management of the pregnant woman, including use of antiviral treatment in third trimester.
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Updated table 18.4, description under table 18.1 and dosage section on page 5.
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Removed previous edition of chapter.
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Revised table 18 (August 2017 version): amended Hepatitis B prophylaxis for reported exposure incidents.
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Revised hepatitis B green book chapter.
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Chapter amended to clarify Thiomersal preservative is not used in hepatitis B vaccines available in the UK.
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This chapter has been updated with minor editorial amends plus 1 change in policy: for travellers who have completed the primary course of vaccination, a booster at 5 years is no longer recommended.
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Updated Body text to include link to Green Book chapter update patches on the National Archives website. Added link to NHS choices.
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First published.