Transmission
Hepatitis B spreads through blood, body fluids and from mother to baby. Traveller risk comes from medical or dental procedures, tattoos, piercings, intimate contact, or accidents involving blood exposure in endemic regions.
Geography
Endemic across large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UK-born children since 2017 are routinely vaccinated, but most adults travelling for long stays in high-prevalence regions need protection.
Immunity
Protection requires three doses. Standard 0–1–6 months gives the strongest response; accelerated 0–7–21 days with a 12-month booster is the choice if you’re leaving sooner. After a complete course, immunity is typically lifelong.