Alberta Health Services
Health Information
hepatitis B
Grade 6 students can get the hepatitis B vaccine as part of the school immunization program. If you were born in 1981 or later and did not get all the recommended doses in school, you can get the hepatitis B vaccine for free.
You should also get this vaccine if you are at risk for hepatitis B because of:
Talk to a public health nurse to find out if you can get the hepatitis B vaccine for free.
You may also benefit from the vaccine if you travel to an area that has a high risk of hepatitis B. If you get the vaccine because of travel, it is not free. Learn more about vaccines for travel.
Check with your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers the cost.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If you have allergies or have had a side effect from this vaccine in the past, check with your doctor or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.
Students in Grade 6 need 2 doses, 6 months apart.
Most other people need 3 doses over 6 months.
If you have certain health problems, such as kidney problems, or you have had an organ or stem cell transplant, you may need more doses. Ask your healthcare provider how many doses you need.
There are 2 other vaccines that protect against hepatitis B.
Grade 6 students can get the vaccine in school. Grade 9 students who missed getting the vaccine at the usual time can also get it in school. Parents and guardians will get an information package that includes a consent form. If you want your child to get the vaccine in school, you must complete and sign the consent form and return it according to the instructions provided. Learn more about school immunization.
If you need the vaccine because of your work or what you study (such as some healthcare workers), talk to your workplace health and safety department or your student health services department.
If you can get this vaccine for free, contact your local public health or community health centre.
If you want the vaccine and need to pay for it, contact a travel health clinic or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are healthy and get all the recommended doses, the protection for hepatitis B is 95% to 100%.
Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.
There can be side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:
At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.
It is important to stay for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.
It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.
There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.