hepatitis B immunization

hepatitis B immunization A vaccine that protects against both hepatitis B and hepatitis D. It gives prolonged protection, but three shots over 6 months are usually required. Hepatitis B immunization is one of the recommended childhood vaccinations. Adults in high-risk situations, including health care workers, dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual partners, dialysis patients, IV drug users, those who travel to countries where hepatitis B infection is common, and recipients of repeated transfusions are also advised to get this vaccine. See also hepatitis D.