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Hepatitis B Included in the Routine Childhood Immunisation Schedule

01 August 2017

In 2014 the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) re-evaluated the benefits and cost effectiveness of a universal hepatitis B immunisation programme in the UK. In recent years, paediatric combined hepatitis B vaccines that also protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b have become available. The JCVI therefore recommended the inclusion of a hexavalent DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB combined vaccine in the routine childhood immunisation schedule.

From autumn 2017, babies born after the 1st August 2017 are eligible to be given the hexavalent vaccine Infanrix hexa® which is used to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and disease caused by Haemophilus influenza type b.

There is no change to the number of injections and children will continue to be immunised at the ages of 2, 3 and 4 months as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. The only change is to the components of the vaccine itself, which now provides protection for hepatitis B.

Note: Infants born before August 1st 2017 should complete their routine immunisation schedule with Infanrix-IPV+Hib® or Paediacel®.

Please use the following links for further information: