What Is Recombivax HB Used For?
Recombivax HB® (
hepatitis B vaccine) is one of a few vaccines available to provide protection against
hepatitis B. It is approved for use in all ages. Specifically, hepatitis B vaccines (including Recombivax HB) are recommended for people in the following groups:
- Adults who are at an increased risk for hepatitis B infection, including (but not limited to):
- People with jobs that expose them to human blood
- People who live in the same house as others with hepatitis B
- Residents and staff in institutions for the developmentally disabled
- Sexual partners of people infected with hepatitis B
- Men who have sex with men
- People who inject street drugs
- People with more than one sex partner
- People with chronic liver or kidney disease
- Kidney dialysis patients
- People who travel to countries where hepatitis B is common
- People with HIV.
- All infants and children under 18 years of age.
It should be noted that the adult formulations of this vaccine, including the formulation for people on dialysis, will not be available in 2009, due to a hepatitis B vaccine shortage. The manufacturer expects to resume making the adult versions in 2010. Other options for adults needing a hepatitis B vaccine include
Engerix-B® (another hepatitis B vaccine) or Twinrix
® (a vaccine for hepatitis B and
hepatitis A).
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that is caused by a virus -- specifically, the
hepatitis B virus. Most people who get it can get rid of the virus on their own, but others can develop chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to
cirrhosis of the liver,
liver cancer, and even death.
There are several other
types of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, C, D, E, and G. Recombivax HB is used specifically to provide protection against hepatitis B. However, because people cannot get
hepatitis D without having hepatitis B, Recombivax HB also provides protection against hepatitis D.
In addition to the preventive way most vaccines are used, Recombivax HB can be given after an exposure to hepatitis B. This is known as post-exposure prophylaxis. In such situations, this vaccine should be given with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG).
