Hepatitis B vaccination for children
Specialist for pediatrics & adolescent medicine
Hepatitis B vaccination: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can be both acute and chronic. Vaccination provides reliable protection against infection and is recommended as early as infancy to protect children from possible infection risks in everyday life and later in life.
- Latest update: August 24, 2026
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What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that inflames the liver and can be both short-term and long-term. In addition to hepatitis B, there are also Hepatitis A and C. These are differences:
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route, for example via contaminated food or water. The disease is always acute and usually heals completely.
Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and body fluids. The infection can be acute, but can also become chronic and cause long-term damage to the liver.
Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted via blood. Many infections go unnoticed for a long time and often develop into a chronic disease for which there is no vaccination.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
General symptoms of hepatitis B are:
Tiredness and general weakness
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Mild fever
Pain or feeling of pressure in the right upper abdominal area
Dark urine
Bright chair
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
A hepatitis B infection is inconspicuous in many children, but can still affect the liver. This can result in liver inflammation or liver disease, for example.
Diagnosis and course of the disease in hepatitis B
The diagnosis of a hepatitis B infection is usually carried out using blood tests, which can be used to detect virus components and antibodies. This allows doctors to see whether an acute infection is currently present or whether the disease has already progressed to a chronic form. In addition, liver values can be determined and, in certain cases, measures such as an ultrasound examination can be carried out to assess the extent of the inflammation.
According to information from the public health portal Austria very different. In older children and adults usually heals an acute infection completely, while infants and young children are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis.
A chronic disease can persist for years or decades and damage the liver in the long term, increasing the risk of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Some infections progress over a long period of time without any clear symptoms, so that Regular medical check-ups are important.
Procedure for the hepatitis B vaccination
In Austria, vaccination against the hepatitis B virus is recommended for children and adults and is part of the national vaccination program. Current recommendations can be found in the Austria's current vaccination plan to find.
Childhood vaccination against hepatitis B
Vaccination protection against hepatitis B is built up in the first year of life and offers a high level of protection through the Early immunization is an effective precaution for everyday life and community facilities. Children of mothers with hepatitis B need an even earlier start in order to prevent transmission directly after birth.
Vaccination schedule for children:
1st dosefrom the 6th week of life or at the latest in the 3rd month of life
2nd doseabout two months after the first vaccination
3rd dose: at the age of 11 to 12 months
Special case with infected mothers1st dose immediately after birth, 2nd after one month, then regularly as part of the 6-dose vaccination, combined with Whooping cough, Diphtheria, Tetanus, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Vaccination against hepatitis B in adulthood
Adults can catch up on the hepatitis B vaccination at any time if they are not sufficiently protected. It is recommended generally up to the age of 60, but also beyond that if required.
The basic immunization consists of three injections, spread over several months. A rapid booster version is available for people who need to be immunized quickly, for example before travelling to areas such as Africa. Healthy adults do not usually need routine boosters once basic immunization has been completed.
Vaccination schedule for adults:
1st dose: at any time
2nd dose: after 1 month
3rd doseafter 6 to 12 months
If required: accelerated vaccination schedule possible
Hepatitis B booster vaccination
According to the basic immunization established in infancy Vaccination service Vienna A refresher course is recommended between the ages of 7 and 15, which is also free of charge. Further booster vaccinations are only provided for people within the risk group, such as people with occupational contact with blood, liver disease or close contact with infected people.
Possibility of combination vaccination with hepatitis A
In addition to the individual vaccination Combination vaccination against hepatitis A and B available (also as Child vaccination). It is particularly suitable for people who need both vaccinations - for example, travelers or adults who want to complete their vaccination protection. The combination vaccination reduces the number of injections required and follows a similar schedule to the single hepatitis B vaccination.
Scheme of the combination vaccination (hepatitis A+B):
1st doseTime freely selectable
2nd dose: after 1 month
3rd doseafter 6 months
Frequently asked questions and answers
Is vaccination against hepatitis B voluntary?
Vaccination against hepatitis B is voluntary in Austria, but is offered as part of the free child vaccination program expressly recommended. It offers newborns and older children early protection against a disease that can cause long-term complications.
How high is the risk of infection with hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus is very contagious and is easily transmitted. transmitted via blood and body fluids. Without vaccination, there is a significantly increased risk of contracting the disease in certain situations.
When can children be vaccinated against hepatitis B?
Children can start from after the 6th week of life be vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. The other doses follow at the recommended intervals so that a stable vaccination success can build up.
Why does it make sense to vaccinate children against hepatitis B?
The vaccination against hepatitis B protects against infection at an early stage, which is particularly chronic in children and can cause serious complications.