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Medical Health Encyclopedia
Immunizations - Pneumococcal Pneumonia
(Page 2)
Hepatitis B vaccine protection may wane over time. Declining immunity has been shown in adolescents vaccinated when they were newborns. As of now, routine booster shots are not recommended because more research is needed on the subject. Booster shots may be recommended for those at risk, such as from sexual exposure.
Hepatitis B Vaccine for Adults. The following adults are at very high risk and should be vaccinated:
- Health care and public safety workers who may be exposed to blood products. Such individuals have a risk for hepatitis B that ranges from 15 - 30%.
- People in the same household as hepatitis B-infected individuals. (Unvaccinated people who have had intimate exposure to people with hepatitis B may be protected with immune globulin, which is sometimes administered with the vaccine.)
- Travelers to countries with a high incidence of hepatitis B infection.
- Patients who require transfusions and have not been infected with hepatitis B. (Those with blood clotting disorders should have the vaccination administered under the skin, not injected in the muscle.)
- Sexually active individuals with multiple partners.
- People with any sexually transmitted diseases.

Other people at risk who would benefit from vaccinations include:
- Patients and workers in mental institutions
- Morticians
- Patients undergoing hemodialysis (these people may need larger doses or boosters; they also may need to be revaccinated if blood tests indicate they are losing immunity)
- People who use injected drugs
- Pregnant women at risk for the virus (there is no evidence that the vaccine is dangerous to the fetus)
- People receiving treatments or who have conditions that suppress the immune system may need the vaccination, although its benefits for this group are unclear except for those at high risk, such as people with HIV or spleen abnormalities.
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Click the icon to see an image of the immune system structures. |
The regimen in adults is typically 3 doses given over 6 months. People who abuse alcohol may need additional doses.
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