Ask the Experts: Is Hepatitis B Screening Required Before Vaccination?

Welcome to Immunize.org’s Ask the Experts resources. This Ask the Experts question is presented by Immunize.org’s Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH.
Question: If an adult hasn’t been screened for hepatitis B infection or immunity yet, should you screen them before you decide about vaccinating?
Answer: It seems tempting to wait for screening test results, but since this is a 2- or 3-dose series that most adults need, we do not recommend missing an opportunity to vaccinate. Vaccination today helps protect a person who needs it. Even for specialists who work with patient groups with an increased likelihood of previous infection, such as people who use injection drugs, we encourage administering the first dose just after screening (at the same visit). If results show no further vaccination is needed then the vaccine series can be stopped at that point. If the results show further vaccination is needed, as it will with most people, then only one or two more doses will be needed to complete the series.
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Immunize.org established Ask the Experts to provide practical answers to clinical questions about vaccines and vaccine administration. Our Immunize.org experts have answered more than 1,200 clinical questions like this one based on ACIP recommendations. You can find all of these questions and answers on our "Ask the Experts" page at www.immunize.or....
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Immunize.org supports healthcare professionals with educational resources and advocates to remove barriers to vaccination for all. We create and distribute educational materials for healthcare professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services. We work to improve national and state vaccine policy. Immunize.org also facilitates communication about the safety, efficacy, and use of vaccines within the broad immunization community of patients, parents, healthcare organizations, and government health agencies.
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