Hepatitis B Immunization Fact Sheet – CDC
- Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
- The CDC is committed to preventing hepatitis B infection through vaccination and other public health measures.
- For more information about hepatitis B and vaccination, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm.
Fact sheet Hepatitis B Immunization
Table of Contents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2025
Contact: CDC Press Office
media@cdc.gov
Hepatitis B Immunization: A Vital Step Towards a Healthier Future
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, adn death. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B infection.
Key Facts about Hepatitis B Immunization:
- Who should get vaccinated? All infants,children,and adults at risk should be vaccinated. This includes healthcare workers, people who inject drugs, people with multiple sexual partners, and people traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common.
- When should vaccination start? The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as a series of three shots over six months. The first dose is usually given shortly after birth.
- Is the vaccine safe? Yes, the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective.Mild side effects, such as pain or redness at the injection site, are common. Serious side effects are rare.
- Why is vaccination important? vaccination protects individuals from hepatitis B infection and helps to prevent the spread of the virus.
CDC’s Commitment to Hepatitis B Prevention
The CDC is committed to preventing hepatitis B infection through vaccination and other public health measures. We work with healthcare providers, community organizations, and other partners to ensure that everyone has access to the information and resources they need to protect themselves and their families.
For more information about hepatitis B and vaccination, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC now recommends shared decision-making for hepatitis B birth doses when mothers test negative. Infants born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown should still receive the vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
Overview
At its December 2025 meeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend individual-based decision-making for infants born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B. The CDC adopted this recommendation on December 16, 2025. This means:
- Parents and clinicians may decide together whether to administer the hepatitis B vaccine at birth or begin the series later in infancy.
- If the birth dose is deferred, it is suggested that the series should begin no earlier than 2 months of age.
- Infants born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown should continue to receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
Why the Hepatitis B Immunization Recommendation Changed
This change to the child immunization recommendation for hepatitis B reflects the conclusions of ACIP, which determined:
- High reliability of prenatal hepatitis B screening, which identifies nearly all hepatitis B infections during pregnancy.
- Very low incidence of perinatal hepatitis B transmission in the U.S. due to existing prevention systems.
- Families and providers should be afforded flexibility when maternal hepatitis B status is confirmed negative.
- The need to maintain protections where risk is highest while allowing individual-based decision-making, including for timing, in low-risk infants.
Hepatitis B Vaccination: Secondary ACIP Recommendation (December 16, 2025)
This information pertains to recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding hepatitis B vaccination.The source material is dated December 16, 2025, and as of January 22, 2026, no breaking news or significant updates contradicting this information have been identified through authoritative sources.
Secondary ACIP Recommendation
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued a secondary recommendation concerning hepatitis B vaccination.
Specifically, ACIP recommends that clinicians and parents consider serology (antibody level) testing when determining the need for additional hepatitis B vaccine doses in children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its office of Communications (OC), will continue to review evidence related to this serology-testing recommendation.
Important Note: This information is based on a source dated December 16,2025. For the most current recommendations, please consult the CDC website directly: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/index.htm.