In observance of World Hepatitis Day, the Ministry of Health on August 12 announced that it is continuing a Hepatitis B vaccination campaign through the National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NACP), targeting health care workers and other vulnerable populations as part of the first phase of the campaign.
Explained By: By: Ralitsa Massah | LVL Fact Checker & Public Health Professional
The Ministry says the Hepatitis vaccine is safe and effective, and is encouraging people who are eligible, particularly health workers, to get vaccinated.
But what exactly is Hepatitis B, how does the vaccine work, and how safe is it?
Let’s answer the questions above.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The infection can be short-term, known as acute Hepatitis B, or develop into a long-term infection known as chronic Hepatitis B.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver problems, including liver cancer. WHO estimates that 240 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2024, with approximately 1.1 million deaths attributed to Hepatitis B that year.
The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids. This includes transmission from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, sexual transmission, and exposure to contaminated blood or medical equipment.
Healthcare workers can also be exposed through work-related injuries such as needle injuries.
What is the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
The Hepatitis B vaccine protects people against infection with the Hepatitis B virus. The World Health Organization says the Hepatitis B vaccines are safe and effective, and identifies vaccination as the main method of preventing Hepatitis B infection.
The vaccine works by energizing the body’s immune system to develop protection against the virus. It does not cause a person to contract Hepatitis B.
Types of Hepatitis B Vaccine
The WHO classifies Hepatitis B vaccines into two types based on how they are produced: plasma-derived vaccines and recombinant vaccines. The two vaccines show no difference in terms of effectiveness or duration of protection. Plasma-derived vaccines use purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from the plasma of people with chronic hepatitis B infection; it is the older type of hepatitis B vaccine. Recombinant vaccines are produced using genetic engineering, most commonly in yeast cells. Today, recombinant hepatitis B vaccines are the standard type used in most immunization programs.
Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine Safe?
Evidence from decades of vaccine use shows that Hepatitis B vaccines have a strong safety record.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that vaccines in general are very safe. Like other medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but these are usually minor and short-lived. More serious reactions can occur but are extremely rare.
The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also states that Hepatitis B vaccination is safe and that most people do not experience side effects.
Safety does not mean that the vaccine has no side effects. Instead, it means that the known risk of the infection is low compared with the benefits of preventing the disease.
Known Side Effects
According to the CDC’s Hepatitis B vaccine safety information, the most common side effects of Hepatitis B vaccination include pain, soreness, redness, headache, fever, fatigue, irritability, and diarrhea.
These reactions are generally mild and usually last about one to two days, but serious reactions are rare. Many people experience no side effects at all.
Conclusion
Hepatitis B is a serious but preventable viral infection that can cause liver cancer. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect individuals and communities from the disease; the Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective in preventing Hepatitis B infection. While some people may experience mild side effects, these are usually short-lived, and serious reactions are extremely rare.
As Liberia continues its Hepatitis B vaccination campaign, eligible people, particularly healthcare workers, are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the virus and help prevent its spread.
