Hepatitis B vaccination and test results
Recent hepatitis B vaccination may affect the result of a hepatitis B test.
Our hepatitis B test checks for hepatitis B surface antigen, which is positive in active hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B surface antigen may be temporarily positive following hepatitis B vaccination. Therefore, if you have recently been vaccinated for hepatitis B, you may receive a false positive result for your hepatitis B test.
We recommend repeating your hepatitis B test 30 days after your last hepatitis B vaccination to ensure an accurate test result.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Vaccination against hepatitis B was introduced to the routine NHS vaccination schedule for all babies in 2017.
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for people who are at higher risk of contracting or getting seriously ill with hepatitis B, for example:
People who have HIV
People who inject drugs
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
Sex workers
People with liver disease or kidney failure
Healthcare workers and some laboratory staff
Prison staff and prisoners
People travelling to parts of the world where they have a higher risk of getting hepatitis B
People who have recently been raped
If you think you are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B, speak with your GP practice or sexual health clinic to ask about hepatitis B vaccination.