Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine · IAP / NIS
| When to give | Birth dose within 24 h; then at 6, 10, 14 weeks (with pentavalent/hexavalent). |
|---|---|
| Dose | Paediatric: 10 µg / 0.5 mL. Adult (>18 yr): 20 µg / 1 mL. Contains HBsAg 10 µg (ped), Al(OH)₃, ± thiomersal (thiomersal-free brands available). |
| Route | Intramuscular |
| Site | Anterolateral mid-thigh (infant); deltoid (older) |
| Schedule / interval | Birth, 6, 10, 14 wk. Standalone catch-up: 0–1–6 months. |
Catch-up schedule
0–1–6 month schedule for any unvaccinated / unknown-status child or adolescent (<18 yr). A single prior dose need not restart the series — complete remaining doses respecting minimum intervals.
Adverse events (AEFI)
Mild local pain/redness; low-grade fever. Serious AEFI very rare (efficacy >90%).
Brands available in India
Bevac (0.5/1 mL), Revac-B mcf (thiomersal-free), Genevac-B (0.5/1.0/10 mL multidose)
Special considerations
Birth dose is key to preventing perinatal transmission. All stable preterm & LBW babies get a birth dose + 3 further doses. Prevaccination screening not cost-effective except in HBsAg-positive contacts. Store 2–8°C, do not freeze.
See the full IAP-ACVIP 2025 immunisation schedule →
Sources
- IAP-ACVIP Recommended Immunization Schedule 2025 (Indian Pediatrics 2026)
- IAP Purple Book 2025, 5th edition