Is it safe for a person at risk of hepatitis B to be vaccinated during pregnancy?

Yes. Many years of experience with Engerix-B and Recombivax HB brands of HepB vaccines indicate no apparent risk for adverse events to a developing fetus. Current HepB products contain noninfectious hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and should pose no risk to the fetus. If not vaccinated, a pregnant person may contract an HBV infection during pregnancy, which might result in severe disease for the newborn.

Available human data on Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio administered during pregnancy are insufficient to assess vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy. For this reason, until safety data are available for Heplisav-B or PreHevbrio, providers should continue to vaccinate people needing HepB during pregnancy with either Engerix-B or Recombivax HB. Pregnancy testing prior to vaccination is not recommended.

Mothers who breastfeed their babies and need HepB can be vaccinated. Although data are not available to assess the effects of Heplisav-B and PreHevbrio on breastfed infants or on maternal milk production and excretion, there is no theoretical risk to the infant and vaccination with any HepB product is acceptable.