The Hepatitis B Vaccine for Grade 7 Students

September 2011

What is hepatitis B?

  • It is a viral infection of the liver. It causes over 75 percent of all cases of primary liver cancer and about 100 deaths in Canada every year.
  • The hepatitis B virus is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV. The virus can live on surfaces for days and can still infect.
  • It can be prevented by getting vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine.

How can someone get hepatitis B?

  • Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person.
  • It can be spread by:
    • sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail files or other personal care items;
    • through a human bite where the saliva is blood tinged;
    • having sex with someone who has the virus;
    • sharing dirty needles or getting a tattoo or body piercing if dirty equipment is used.
  • An infected mother can pass the virus to her baby in the womb or at birth.

Who is at risk of getting hepatitis B?

  • People of any age can be infected with the hepatitis B virus.
  • Some groups are at higher risk (e.g. health care workers, family members of someone infected with hepatitis B).

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

  • More than half of people who get the virus will have no symptoms and do not know they are infected. They can still pass the virus to others.
  • Young children who get infected often have no symptoms.
  • Those that do get symptoms feel tired, have a fever, don't feel like eating, sometimes have yellow eyes and skin and can have dark coloured urine.
  • A small number of people will get very sick with hepatitis B virus and need to go to the hospital usually with liver problems.

What can happen when someone gets hepatitis B infection?

  • Children infected with hepatitis B virus are more likely to develop a chronic infection and have future liver problems or can develop cancer later in life.
  • Up to 95 percent of adults will fight the infection on their own and will be protected for life.
  • 5 to 10 percent of infected adults will develop a chronic infection.
  • Up to 1 in every 100 people with hepatitis B virus infection will die from it.

How can I protect my child from getting hepatitis B?

  • Get your child immunized with the hepatitis B vaccine. Toronto Public Health (TPH) offers the hepatitis B vaccine free to grade 7 students.
  • This vaccine has been used in Canada for more than 10 years and is very safe.
  • Over 99 percent of grade 7 students who receive the two doses of vaccine will be protected for life.

Who can get hepatitis B vaccine for free?

  • The hepatitis B vaccine is free for grade 7 students at school or community clinics.
  • Grade 8 students who missed this vaccine in grade 7, can get their shot in grade 8 at a school or community clinic. Call or check the TPH website for clinic dates and times.
  • Those at higher risk of hepatitis B infection may also receive free vaccine.

Who should not get hepatitis B vaccine?

  • Your child should not get the hepatitis B vaccine if he or she:
    • has already been vaccinated against the virus (Twinrix®, Engerix-B®, Recombivax HB®);
    • has already been infected with the hepatitis B virus;
    • has had a bad reaction to a previous dose of the hepatitis B vaccine or a severe reaction to another vaccine;
    • is allergic to yeast, aluminum, latex formaldehyde, 2-phenoxyethanol or thimerosal (found in some brands of the vaccine).
  • If your child has a fever or anything more serious than a minor cold, he or she should wait until they feel better before getting the vaccine.

What are the side effects of this vaccine?

  • Some people may have redness or pain where the needle was given. A few may feel tired and have a slight fever after the shot.
  • Rarely, side effects include trouble breathing, a rash or swelling in the throat and face.
  • See a health care provider immediately if a serious reaction occurs following vaccination.
  • Toronto Public Health nurses are present at the school clinics and trained to treat severe reactions.

What else do I need to know about the hepatitis B vaccine?

  • Two doses of hepatitis B vaccine (4 to 6 months apart) are needed for full protection for students 11 to 15 years of age.
  • Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine are given to all other age groups.
  • Doctor's offices do not routinely provide free hepatitis B vaccine to grade 7 students.
  • Update your child's records if your child has already received doses of hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix®, Engerix-B®, Recombivax HB®):
    • Download and fill out the consent form available online or
    • Call the Immunization Information Line at 416-392-1250 to update your child's records.

Is it safe to give my child two vaccines at the same time?

  • It is safe to give hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccines recommended for teenagers (e.g. meningococcal, HPV and the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular-pertussis booster).

Where can I get more information?

Last updated on January 2012