Who should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine?

The Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for a variety of groups, particularly those at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Health care workers and patients on hemodialysis are among the primary populations advised to receive this vaccination due to their increased likelihood of encountering blood or bodily fluids that may be infectious.

For health care workers, the risk arises from their regular contact with patients and potential exposure to blood, which can facilitate the transmission of Hepatitis B. Additionally, patients on hemodialysis are at a higher risk because their treatment involves blood exposure and they may have compromised immune systems, making them more susceptible to infection.

While the vaccine is certainly important for infants and it is also advisable for immunosuppressed individuals, the recommendation specifically emphasizes health care workers and patients undergoing hemodialysis as priority recipients. This targeted approach ensures that those most at risk of severe complications from Hepatitis B receive the vaccine to protect both themselves and the broader community from outbreaks.