Hepatitis B Vaccination (injection) for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD Stage 4 and 5)
This leaflet explains the hepatitis B vaccination programme we offer at Dorset County Hospital for all renal patients who are planning to have renal replacement therapy in the future. Or for those who have already started dialysis and not yet been immunised. Its aim is to explain the reasons for needing this vaccine, the way it is given and the follow up care to check your response to the vaccine.
What is Hepatitis B and why am I at risk?
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus in the blood that can last a long time and severely damage the liver. It is spread through contact with infected blood and some other bodily fluids. Every precaution is taken to protect you and others against the spread of the virus. However, the virus can be accidentally passed onto others through cross infection. If infected, most sufferers do not have any symptoms and may only feel briefly unwell.
Patients with CKD are known to have impaired immunity, which puts them at higher risk from catching viruses like hepatitis B. The virus could then be passed on to other patients. The more patients vaccinated, the less likely for cross infection. The vaccine will protect you against cross infection both in our dialysis units in Dorset, but also if you travel and have dialysis in other units in the UK or abroad. For patients hoping to receive a kidney transplant, hepatitis B positive donors are now used in the UK – if you are not immune to hepatitis B then you will not be offered this type of kidney.
Why do I need this vaccination?
Viruses can be treated with anti-viral medication, but the success rates are low. Vaccinations, often given by an injection, help your body protect itself against a virus like Hepatitis B and can prevent you catching it. It is very similar to the vaccinations you or your children may have received in childhood. We aim to vaccinate all renal patients against hepatitis B before they start dialysis and/or receive a kidney transplant.
Why a course of vaccination?
Your body needs time to build up protection therefore, you will need to have a course of 3 or 4 injections (depending on the brand used), over a six-month period. This helps your body to respond by producing antibodies, which stop the virus taking hold.
How do I get vaccinated?
our renal specialist nurse will see you in clinic to administer the vaccinations and inform your GP.
Is it important to complete the full course?
YES, it is! Patients with CKD sometimes do not produce as many antibodies from the vaccine as patients without CKD, which makes it more important to complete the full course. We need your body to gain a certain level of protection. To achieve this and for the vaccination to be effective, the full course must be completed.
How do I know if it has worked?
You will need to have a follow up blood test one to two months after your last injection. This is to ensure you have produced antibodies to the virus and are therefore protected. Our administrator will contact you to have this blood test done.
Occasionally, patients with CKD do not respond as we’d hope and do not produce enough antibodies. Depending on your response, you may be required to have a further booster injection. If you have not responded to the vaccination at all, you will be asked to repeat the full course.
Are there any side effects?
Hepatitis B vaccine is generally well tolerated, and the most common adverse reactions are soreness and redness at the injection site. Less common are fever, rash, malaise, and influenza-like symptoms.
Hepatitis B vaccination record
| Fendrix 20mcg | Frequency | Date Given |
| Dose 1 | 0 month | |
| Dose 2 | 1 month after first dose | |
| Dose 3 | 2 months after first dose | |
| Dose 4 | 6 months after first dose | |
| Blood Test | 1-2 months after the last dose |
Contact numbers
We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the Renal Specialist Nursing teams at:
Poole Dialysis Unit RSN Office: 01202 307433
Dorset County Hospital RSN Office: 01305 254782
Useful websites
About this leaflet
Author: Leanne Brown, Advanced Kidney Care Specialist Nurse
Written: June 2025
Approved: June 2025
Review Date: June 2028
Edition: 1
If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk
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