DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Hepatitis B vaccine  is injected into the muscle of the upper arm in adults and children.

In babies and young children, it is normally injected into the anteriolateral aspect of thigh muscle. However, this vaccine may be injected under the skin for patients with blood disorders.

This vaccine must NOT be injected into the buttocks, into the skin or into a vein.

Adults and children 16 years of age and over are given the 20 µg/1 ml vaccine.

New-born babies and children below 16 years of age are given the 10 µg/0.5 ml vaccine.

However, the 20 µg/1 ml vaccine may be given to children aged 11-15 years of age if it is thought unlikely that the child will receive the third injection in the vaccination schedule. This will provide a higher level of protection than two doses of the 10 µg/0.5 ml vaccine.

The person who is to have the vaccine may receive it at the same time as another vaccine, but the vaccines should always be given at different injection sites.