Taken Hepatitis B Vaccination Eight Years Ago. Do I Need To Take It Again?

Posted on Wed, 22 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 Answered on

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Hepatitis B vaccination camp, on August 23 in SAP:
I had this vaccination around 8 years ago. Is it required to take it again

Answered by Dr. Naveen (44 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query

It was previously believed and suggested that the vaccination would only provide effective cover for five to seven years. But subsequently, it was discovered that long-term immunity derives from immunological memory hence administration of booster doses is not required in successfully vaccinated immunocompetent individuals. Hence you do not require any booster dose if your primary immunization was properly done.

Those people, who fall in high risk group such as healthcare workers, should have a single booster dose after 5 years of primary immunization.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar