Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.
The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the first vaccines given to newborns (within 24 hours of birth) and is also given to healthcare workers and other at-risk adults. Its long history in VAERS spans all age groups.
The following symptoms are most frequently reported after vaccination:
Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to infant during birth. Babies infected at birth have a 90% chance of developing chronic infection, which can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. Vaccination at birth provides immediate protection.
Some VAERS reports for hepatitis B involve very young infants, which can include health events that coincide with the neonatal period rather than being caused by the vaccine.
Common:
Rare:
Hepatitis B vaccine is considered one of the safest and best-studied vaccines available. It has been administered billions of times worldwide since its introduction in 1982.
The birth dose is just the first of a multi-dose series. See when each dose is due on the CDC vaccine schedule and our 2026 vaccine schedule analysis.
As of mid-2026, the hepatitis B vaccine continues to be monitored through VAERS and complementary surveillance systems including the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) project. No new safety signals have been identified in recent data that would change the established safety profile of this vaccine.
The HHS administration's announced development of AI-powered VAERS analysis tools may provide additional insights into hepatitis B vaccine adverse event patterns. These tools aim to detect subtle signals that traditional statistical methods might miss, though their implementation timeline and methodology remain under development.
It's worth noting that VAERS reporting for routine vaccines like hepatitis B has remained stable through the post-pandemic period. While COVID-19 vaccine reports surged and then declined, reporting patterns for established childhood and adult vaccines have been remarkably consistent, suggesting that the VAERS system continues to function as designed for ongoing safety surveillance.
When interpreting VAERS data for hepatitis B vaccines, several key principles apply:
VAERS data is most useful as a starting point for conversation with your healthcare provider, not as a basis for medical decisions. If you're concerned about hepatitis B vaccine side effects:
For the most up-to-date safety information, consult the CDC's vaccine information pages or speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
As of mid-2026, the hepatitis B vaccine continues to be monitored through VAERS and complementary surveillance systems including the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) project. No new safety signals have been identified in recent data that would change the established safety profile of this vaccine.
The HHS administration's announced development of AI-powered VAERS analysis tools may provide additional insights into hepatitis B vaccine adverse event patterns. These tools aim to detect subtle signals that traditional statistical methods might miss, though their implementation timeline and methodology remain under development.
It's worth noting that VAERS reporting for routine vaccines like hepatitis B has remained stable through the post-pandemic period. While COVID-19 vaccine reports surged and then declined, reporting patterns for established childhood and adult vaccines have been remarkably consistent, suggesting that the VAERS system continues to function as designed for ongoing safety surveillance.
When interpreting VAERS data for hepatitis B vaccines, several key principles apply:
VAERS data is most useful as a starting point for conversation with your healthcare provider, not as a basis for medical decisions. If you're concerned about hepatitis B vaccine side effects:
For the most up-to-date safety information, consult the CDC's vaccine information pages or speak with a qualified healthcare professional.