Merita Health - Healthcare Services in Kampala, Uganda

Hepatitis B Vaccination & Screening

Protection against Hepatitis B through vaccination and comprehensive screening services

Hepatitis B Vaccination

About Hepatitis B Vaccination

Merita Health provides Hepatitis B vaccination and diagnostic services following WHO-recommended protocols. Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can become chronic and lead to liver failure, cancer, or cirrhosis. Our vaccination program offers safe and effective protection against this preventable disease.

Vaccination Schedule

  • Standard Schedule: 3 doses over 6 months (0, 1, and 6 months)
  • Accelerated Schedule: 4 doses (0, 1, 2, and 12 months)
  • Combination Vaccines: Available for comprehensive protection
  • Booster Doses: For high-risk individuals as needed

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

We recommend Hepatitis B vaccination for:

  • All newborns and infants
  • Children and adolescents not previously vaccinated
  • Healthcare workers and first responders
  • People with chronic liver disease
  • Travelers to high-risk areas
  • People with multiple sexual partners
  • IV drug users
  • Household contacts of infected persons
  • People with HIV infection
  • Patients undergoing dialysis

Screening Services

Test Type Purpose Results Time
HBsAg (Surface Antigen) Detects current infection 1-2 days
Anti-HBs (Surface Antibody) Checks immunity level 1-2 days
Anti-HBc (Core Antibody) Detects past or current infection 1-2 days
Liver Function Tests Assesses liver health 1-2 days
HBV DNA Viral Load Measures virus amount in blood 3-5 days

The Vaccination Process

  1. Pre-vaccination consultation and screening
  2. Administration of first vaccine dose
  3. Scheduling of subsequent doses
  4. Post-vaccination monitoring (15 minutes)
  5. Immunity testing after completion (optional)
  6. Documentation and vaccination record
  7. Follow-up for booster if needed

Benefits of Vaccination

  • 95% effective in preventing Hepatitis B infection
  • Protection against liver cancer and cirrhosis
  • Long-lasting immunity (possibly lifelong)
  • Safe with minimal side effects
  • Protects family members and community
  • Cost-effective compared to treatment of chronic infection
  • Required for certain professions and travel
  • Peace of mind about liver health

What to Expect After Vaccination

Common side effects are mild and may include:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling at injection site (1 in 4 adults)
  • Mild fever (1 in 15 adults)
  • Headache or fatigue (1 in 15 adults)
  • Side effects usually last 1-2 days
  • Serious allergic reactions are very rare (less than 1 in 1 million doses)

Special Populations

Population Special Considerations Recommended Schedule
Newborns First dose within 24 hours of birth 0, 1, 6 months
Pregnant Women Safe during pregnancy if at risk Standard schedule
Healthcare Workers Mandatory in many settings Standard + booster if needed
Travelers Complete before departure Accelerated if needed
Immune-compromised Higher dose may be needed Standard + check immunity

Service Details

  • Duration: 15-30 minutes per visit
  • Preparation: No special preparation needed
  • Schedule: 3 doses over 6 months
  • Protection: Starts 1 month after first dose
  • Immunity Check: Available after completion
  • Cost: Affordable pricing available

Book This Service

Protect yourself and your loved ones from Hepatitis B.

Book Vaccination Call: +256 787 846806

Related Services

Quick Facts

  • ✓ 95% effective in adults
  • ✓ WHO-recommended protocols
  • ✓ Safe for all age groups
  • ✓ Prevents liver cancer
  • ✓ Minimal side effects
  • ✓ Long-lasting protection
  • ✓ Required for many countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Common side effects are mild and temporary, including soreness at injection site (1 in 4 adults), mild fever (1 in 15 adults), fatigue, or headache. Serious side effects are extremely rare. The vaccine contains only a small piece of the virus (surface protein), not the whole virus, so it cannot cause Hepatitis B infection. Most people experience no side effects or only mild ones that resolve within 1-2 days.

Studies show that Hepatitis B vaccine provides long-lasting protection. Most people who complete the full series develop protective antibody levels that last for at least 20 years, possibly lifelong. Memory cells remain even if antibody levels decline. Booster doses are generally not recommended for healthy individuals but may be advised for certain high-risk groups (healthcare workers, dialysis patients, immune-compromised individuals).

Yes, Hepatitis B vaccine is safe during pregnancy and is recommended for pregnant women who are at risk of infection. The vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot cause infection in the mother or fetus. It actually helps protect the newborn from Hepatitis B infection. Pregnant women who test positive for Hepatitis B should receive appropriate medical care and their newborns should receive Hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin within 12 hours of birth.

If you miss a dose, you don't need to start over. Simply get the missed dose as soon as possible and continue with the remaining schedule. The minimum interval between dose 1 and 2 is 4 weeks, and between dose 2 and 3 is 8 weeks. However, for optimal protection, it's best to follow the recommended schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months. If you're unsure about your vaccination status, we can test your immunity level.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious blood or body fluids. Common routes include: From mother to baby during childbirth, Sexual contact with an infected person, Sharing needles or syringes, Needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes, From improperly sterilized medical/dental equipment. It is NOT spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, sharing food, or breastfeeding.

If you've had Hepatitis B infection in the past and recovered, you're already immune and don't need vaccination. We can test your immunity status first. If you have chronic Hepatitis B infection, vaccination won't help clear the infection, but it's still important for your close contacts to get vaccinated. We recommend screening before vaccination to determine your status and avoid unnecessary vaccination.

Get Protected Against Hepatitis B

Vaccination is the best protection against this serious liver disease. Schedule your vaccination or screening today.

Schedule Vaccination Call: +256 787 846806
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