What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a highly contagious, serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, including contact with objects that could have blood or body fluids on them such as toothbrushes and razors. The hepatitis B virus can cause: Acute (short-term) illness, the symptoms of which are flu-like and include loss of appetite, tiredness, joint and muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting and jaundice. Most adults who get hepatitis B have this acute form of hepatitis B, and then get better. Chronic (long-term) infection which can be very serious, and often leads to liver damage, liver cancer, or death. Babies and young children infected with hepatitis B are more likely to get this chronic form of the disease. What is the hepatitis B vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. It is a series of 3 or 4 shots usually given over a 6-to-12 month period.
It is given by an injection into the arm muscle of adolescents and adults and thigh muscle of infants and young children. Estimates of long-term protection for those getting the full vaccination (3 or 4 doses) suggest that protection from hepatitis B could last for up to 20 or 30 years and possibly for life. Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine? Who should not get the hepatitis B vaccine? What are the side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine? Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce fever. It's extremely rare for these vaccines to cause serious harm or death. If the person getting the vaccine has a serious reaction, call the doctor or seek immediate medical attention. The hepatitis B vaccine is available at: Healthcare Clinic for patients aged 7+. Ages vary by state. Walk in or schedule an appointment at the location nearest you. If you believe you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
Tell your doctor or a healthcare provider if the person getting the vaccine has any severe allergies. Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 800-232-4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines for more vaccine information. Hamborsky J, Kroger A, Wolfe S, eds. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 13th ed. Washington, DC: Public Health Foundation, 2015. Vaccine Information Statement: Hepatitis B Vaccine (What You Need to Know) February 2, 2012. Patient care services at Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens provided by independently owned professional corporations including Take Care Health Services or local health system providers whose licensed healthcare professionals are not employed by or are agents of Walgreen Co. Walgreen Co. and its subsidiary companies provide management services to provider services, in-store clinics and worksite health and wellness centers. This publication should be used for general educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this publication. Vaccine subject to availability. Age, state, and health related restrictions apply. The Shot Nurse is an Immunization & Wellness Service dedicated to the well being of mid-southerners in the Memphis & Tri-state area. Our team of nurses provides convenient wellness services that prevent disease and improve one's quality of life. Our goal is to provide nursing services to the community and companies who occasionally need a nurse. These services include all imunizations or boosters needed for work, school, travel, and everyday health; Lipo and Vitamin B12 Shots. Please visit our Services page for details about all we do. To make staying healthy even easier, The Shot Nurse can come to you! For groups of 10 or more, a nurse will come to your facility. Click here for information about our out-call service.
For individuals, walk-in service is available at our three conveniently located Mid-South offices with front door parking and no waiting! We offer complimentary CAR-SIDE SERVICE for persons with impaired mobility. Insurance accepted for Vaccinations 9 am - 5 pm Open SATURDAYS at our POPLAR AVENUE and SADDLE CREEK officesfrom 10 am to 2 pm. (No lab services available on Saturdays) Most Insurances accepted for vaccinations: BCBS, United Healthcare & Cigna Medicare part B for Flu & Pneumonia Medicare part D for Zostavax (shingles) Car-side service for persons with decreased mobility. The Shot Nurse has the protection you need with a personal touch!You’re picking up a few household items at the pharmacy and spot a sign for on-site vaccinations. Would getting vaccinated at a pharmacy be a reasonable move? It’s a safe, convenient way to keep up to date on your immunizations, and may save you a trip to the doctor. What’s more, pharmacists are trained in immunization technique and practice giving shots regularly.
CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and other chains, as well as some independents, offer more than the flu shot – they also administer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved vaccines, including hepatitis A and B, pneumonia, polio, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and varicella (chickenpox). And many also offer travel immunizations for meningitis, typhoid, yellow fever, and other diseases. Find out which vaccines you should get, and when. While many pharmacies require no appointment and only ask that you complete a consent form (which includes questions about your medical history and authorizes the release of your health care provider and insurers), rules and vaccine availability vary by state—so call ahead before you drop in. As at your doctor’s office, most pharmacies will file with your insurance, and under the Affordable Care Act, insurers are required to cover most immunizations for adults and children, so you probably won’t be charged.
When in doubt, you or your pharmacist should check first with your insurer. Note, too, that your insurance plan may have age limitations, for example, most plans will not cover the shingles vaccines for adults under age 60. If you’re paying out-of-pocket, know that prices vary depending on the pharmacy, just as they do at your doctor’s office. For example, you’ll pay $85 for the pneumonia vaccine at CVS and Target, but just $73 at Costco pharmacies. And the dual Hepatitis A and B vaccine costs $169 at Target, and $114 at Walmart. Ask your pharmacist to forward information about your vaccinations to your doctor's office so that it can be added to your medical record. Would you feel comfortable getting vaccines at a pharmacy? Tell us in the comments below. An added perk for getting vaccinated at the pharmacy: CVS, Walgreens, and other chains offer loyalty programs (it’s free to sign up) that earn you rewards for each vaccination you get, and those reward points add up to discounts on other store purchases.