Hepatitis B Vaccine London
Hepatitis B travel vaccine appointments
For most short holidays, hepatitis B is not the first vaccine on the list. For longer trips, backpacking, healthcare work, contact sports, new sexual partners, tattoos, piercings, or possible medical or dental treatment abroad, it becomes much more relevant. City Of London Clinic can assess your route, timescale and previous vaccine history, then advise whether hepatitis B vaccination belongs in your travel plan.
For most short holidays, hepatitis B is not the first vaccine on the list. For longer trips, backpacking, healthcare work, contact sports, new sexual partners, tattoos, piercings, or possible medical or dental treatment abroad, it becomes much more relevant. City Of London Clinic can assess your route, timescale and previous vaccine history, then advise whether hepatitis B vaccination belongs in your travel plan.
A blood-borne virus that can damage the liver
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It spreads through infected blood and certain body fluids, not through normal social contact, food or water. Travellers can be exposed through unprotected sex, shared injecting equipment, tattooing or piercing with non-sterile kit, needlestick injuries, contact sports involving blood, or medical and dental treatment where infection control is poor.
Many people have no symptoms at first, or only feel generally unwell. Others develop dark urine, nausea, abdominal pain, severe tiredness and jaundice, where the skin or whites of the eyes turn yellow. The incubation period can be several weeks to months.
The main concern is long-term infection. Hepatitis B can become chronic and, over time, may lead to serious liver disease and liver cancer. Adults are less likely than young children to develop chronic infection, but the consequence is serious enough to discuss before a higher-risk trip.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It spreads through infected blood and certain body fluids, not through normal social contact, food or water. Travellers can be exposed through unprotected sex, shared injecting equipment, tattooing or piercing with non-sterile kit, needlestick injuries, contact sports involving blood, or medical and dental treatment where infection control is poor.
Many people have no symptoms at first, or only feel generally unwell. Others develop dark urine, nausea, abdominal pain, severe tiredness and jaundice, where the skin or whites of the eyes turn yellow. The incubation period can be several weeks to months.
The main concern is long-term infection. Hepatitis B can become chronic and, over time, may lead to serious liver disease and liver cancer. Adults are less likely than young children to develop chronic infection, but the consequence is serious enough to discuss before a higher-risk trip.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It spreads through infected blood and certain body fluids, not through normal social contact, food or water. Travellers can be exposed through unprotected sex, shared injecting equipment, tattooing or piercing with non-sterile kit, needlestick injuries, contact sports involving blood, or medical and dental treatment where infection control is poor.
Many people have no symptoms at first, or only feel generally unwell. Others develop dark urine, nausea, abdominal pain, severe tiredness and jaundice, where the skin or whites of the eyes turn yellow. The incubation period can be several weeks to months.
The main concern is long-term infection. Hepatitis B can become chronic and, over time, may lead to serious liver disease and liver cancer. Adults are less likely than young children to develop chronic infection, but the consequence is serious enough to discuss before a higher-risk trip.
How the hepatitis B vaccine course works
The hepatitis B vaccine used for travel is an inactivated vaccine. It cannot give you hepatitis B. It may be given on its own, or as a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine if both infections are relevant for your trip.
Several schedules exist. A common accelerated course for travellers uses doses at 0, 1 and 2 months, with a further dose at 12 months. A 0, 1 and 6 month schedule may suit people who have more time before travelling. For adults leaving very soon, a very rapid schedule can sometimes be used, with early doses over 21 days and a further dose later. The right option depends on your age, previous vaccines, medical history and departure date.
Children can be vaccinated when assessed individually. Many UK children now receive hepatitis B protection through the routine childhood programme, so old records matter. Side effects are usually short-lived, such as a sore arm, redness, mild fever or flu-like symptoms. The vaccine protects against hepatitis B only; it does not protect against HIV, hepatitis C or other sexually transmitted infections.
The hepatitis B vaccine used for travel is an inactivated vaccine. It cannot give you hepatitis B. It may be given on its own, or as a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine if both infections are relevant for your trip.
Several schedules exist. A common accelerated course for travellers uses doses at 0, 1 and 2 months, with a further dose at 12 months. A 0, 1 and 6 month schedule may suit people who have more time before travelling. For adults leaving very soon, a very rapid schedule can sometimes be used, with early doses over 21 days and a further dose later. The right option depends on your age, previous vaccines, medical history and departure date.
Children can be vaccinated when assessed individually. Many UK children now receive hepatitis B protection through the routine childhood programme, so old records matter. Side effects are usually short-lived, such as a sore arm, redness, mild fever or flu-like symptoms. The vaccine protects against hepatitis B only; it does not protect against HIV, hepatitis C or other sexually transmitted infections.
The hepatitis B vaccine used for travel is an inactivated vaccine. It cannot give you hepatitis B. It may be given on its own, or as a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine if both infections are relevant for your trip.
Several schedules exist. A common accelerated course for travellers uses doses at 0, 1 and 2 months, with a further dose at 12 months. A 0, 1 and 6 month schedule may suit people who have more time before travelling. For adults leaving very soon, a very rapid schedule can sometimes be used, with early doses over 21 days and a further dose later. The right option depends on your age, previous vaccines, medical history and departure date.
Children can be vaccinated when assessed individually. Many UK children now receive hepatitis B protection through the routine childhood programme, so old records matter. Side effects are usually short-lived, such as a sore arm, redness, mild fever or flu-like symptoms. The vaccine protects against hepatitis B only; it does not protect against HIV, hepatitis C or other sexually transmitted infections.
How the hepatitis B vaccine course works
Hepatitis B exists worldwide, but it is more common in many parts of East and South East Asia, the Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and some areas of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central and South America. Trips to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya may prompt a hepatitis B discussion, especially if the stay is long or the activities carry blood or body-fluid exposure.
A two-week hotel stay and a six-month placement in a rural clinic are not the same risk. Nor are a beach holiday and travelling for dental treatment. Country guidance is a starting point; your plans fill in the rest.
Hepatitis B exists worldwide, but it is more common in many parts of East and South East Asia, the Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and some areas of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central and South America. Trips to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya may prompt a hepatitis B discussion, especially if the stay is long or the activities carry blood or body-fluid exposure.
A two-week hotel stay and a six-month placement in a rural clinic are not the same risk. Nor are a beach holiday and travelling for dental treatment. Country guidance is a starting point; your plans fill in the rest.
Hepatitis B exists worldwide, but it is more common in many parts of East and South East Asia, the Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and some areas of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central and South America. Trips to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya may prompt a hepatitis B discussion, especially if the stay is long or the activities carry blood or body-fluid exposure.
A two-week hotel stay and a six-month placement in a rural clinic are not the same risk. Nor are a beach holiday and travelling for dental treatment. Country guidance is a starting point; your plans fill in the rest.
Book once your route and dates are clear
Bring any vaccine records you have, even partial ones. Interrupted hepatitis B courses usually do not need restarting, but the remaining doses should be spaced properly.
Appointments at City Of London Clinic are available Monday to Saturday at 36 Goswell Road, handy for Farringdon and Moorgate. If hepatitis B fits your trip, we can start the course and map out the remaining dates before you travel.
Bring any vaccine records you have, even partial ones. Interrupted hepatitis B courses usually do not need restarting, but the remaining doses should be spaced properly.
Appointments at City Of London Clinic are available Monday to Saturday at 36 Goswell Road, handy for Farringdon and Moorgate. If hepatitis B fits your trip, we can start the course and map out the remaining dates before you travel.
Bring any vaccine records you have, even partial ones. Interrupted hepatitis B courses usually do not need restarting, but the remaining doses should be spaced properly.
Appointments at City Of London Clinic are available Monday to Saturday at 36 Goswell Road, handy for Farringdon and Moorgate. If hepatitis B fits your trip, we can start the course and map out the remaining dates before you travel.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
How soon before travel should I start the hepatitis B vaccine course?
Start as early as you can, especially if you have several months before departure. Standard and accelerated schedules need more than one dose, and some courses include a later dose at 12 months. If you are leaving soon, book anyway; a clinician can discuss whether a rapid schedule is appropriate.
Do I need hepatitis B vaccination for a short holiday?
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe if I have a medical condition?
Will I need a blood test after hepatitis B vaccination?
Do I need a booster if I had hepatitis B vaccines years ago?
How soon before travel should I start the hepatitis B vaccine course?
Start as early as you can, especially if you have several months before departure. Standard and accelerated schedules need more than one dose, and some courses include a later dose at 12 months. If you are leaving soon, book anyway; a clinician can discuss whether a rapid schedule is appropriate.
Do I need hepatitis B vaccination for a short holiday?
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe if I have a medical condition?
Will I need a blood test after hepatitis B vaccination?
Do I need a booster if I had hepatitis B vaccines years ago?