UK guidance doesn’t recommend a routine hepatitis B booster for healthy people who completed a course and responded to it, whether they had it for travel or for work. For them, protection against long-term infection lasts 20 to 30 years or more. Boosters are considered for people with kidney failure, at the time of a significant exposure, and for healthcare and laboratory workers who didn’t respond to the course. If you’re not sure where you stand, you can book your hepatitis B vaccination for work in Epsom with us and bring your records.
How long the vaccine lasts
Among people who respond to the vaccine, UK guidance says protection against long-term infection persists for 20 to 30 years or more. The World Health Organization says the vaccine protects for at least 20 years and probably for life.
The five-year booster is out of date
You may still see a booster every five years mentioned. UK guidance stopped recommending a five-year booster for travellers in December 2013, and in April 2024 it removed the single booster for healthy adults who’d completed a course. UK travel health guidance also says there’s no good evidence for a booster in routine programmes.
Where you stand
| Your situation | What UK guidance says |
|---|---|
| Completed a course, healthy, for travel | No routine booster |
| Healthcare or laboratory worker who responded | No routine booster |
| Healthcare or laboratory worker who didn’t respond | A further dose is considered |
| Kidney failure | Antibody levels are checked every year, with a booster if they fall too low |
| A significant exposure, such as a needlestick injury | A dose is considered at the time; get advice the same day |
| Course never finished | Carry on where you stopped; the course is never restarted |
Healthcare and laboratory workers
UK guidance says healthcare and laboratory workers, including students and trainees, who responded to their course don’t need a booster. For people at risk at work, a blood test one to two months after the course shows whether they responded. If your occupational health team asks for evidence, they’ll tell you what they need.
Why some people don’t respond
Around 90% of adults respond well to the vaccine. A weaker response is mostly linked to being over 40, obesity and smoking, and it’s also more likely with alcohol dependency, particularly with advanced liver disease.
If you’ve been exposed
After a needlestick or sharps injury, a bite that breaks the skin, or blood splashed into your eyes or mouth, wash the area and get advice the same day from A&E, NHS 111 or your occupational health service. UK guidance says vaccination should ideally start within 24 hours, and can still be considered up to a week after exposure.
If your course was never finished
Pick up where you stopped. UK guidance says an interrupted course is resumed, not repeated, however long ago your last dose was. Our guide to hepatitis B vaccine schedules shows how the remaining doses fit.
Checking your records in Epsom
We’re at 94 Chessington Road, Ewell, Epsom, KT19 9UR, with a bus stop outside and a car park at Ewell West station nearby. Whether you’re in Epsom or coming from Banstead, Sutton or Cheam, bring any vaccination records you have, including ones from abroad, and the pharmacist will work out where you stand. Call us on 020 8393 1000.
Questions about hepatitis B boosters
Do I need a hepatitis B booster every five years?
Not for travel, and not for most work. UK guidance dropped the five-year travel booster in 2013 and the single adult booster in 2024.
Does the hepatitis B vaccine last for life?
For people who respond, protection against long-term infection lasts 20 to 30 years or more, and the World Health Organization says probably for life.
I had my course 20 years ago. Am I still protected?
If you responded to it, protection is expected to last 20 to 30 years or more. Bring your records and the pharmacist will talk through your situation, including any new travel or work.
My employer says I need a booster. What should I do?
Ask your occupational health team what they’re basing it on. If a further dose is needed for work, HSE says employers must pay for protective measures such as immunisation.
Do I need a booster before travelling again?
UK guidance has no routine travel booster once you’ve completed a course. If you never finished it, carry on where you left off. Our guide to the hepatitis B vaccine for travel covers who it’s recommended for.
Sources
- UKHSA: the Green Book, chapter 18, hepatitis B, and its change history, checked 2 October 2026
- NaTHNaC: hepatitis B factsheet, checked 2 October 2026
- NHS: hepatitis B vaccine, checked 2 October 2026
- WHO: hepatitis B fact sheet, 28 July 2026, checked 2 October 2026
- HSE: immunisation against bloodborne viruses, checked 2 October 2026
