Is it necessary for adults to receive a booster dose of the hepatitis B vaccine?
Hepatitis B vaccine refers to the vaccine against the hepatitis B virus. Generally, if an adult's vaccination history is unclear and there is a high risk of infection, they may need to receive a hepatitis B vaccine. If an adult has previously been infected with the hepatitis B virus but has since recovered spontaneously, they may not require vaccination. The analysis is as follows:
If an adult has never received the hepatitis B vaccine or their vaccination history is uncertain, has never been infected with the hepatitis B virus, and frequently comes into contact with patients who have hepatitis B, or works in fields involving close exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or other substances that may contain the hepatitis B virus—such as healthcare, hygiene, or public services—they may need to receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
If an adult has previously been infected with the hepatitis B virus but has naturally recovered, shown by the disappearance of HBsAg and the presence of anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs antibodies, then vaccination is unnecessary, as the immune response following natural infection typically provides long-term protection.
Before receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, individuals should inform their doctor about their health status and any history of allergies to avoid adverse reactions due to contraindications.