Hepatitis B Requirement: Some Questions and Answers

Who is included in this new requirement for hepatitis B vaccination as a condition of enrollment?
All first-time UC Berkeley enrollees under 19 years of age must provide proof of immunization to the Hepatitis B virus prior to enrollment. High school honors program participants also are required to comply with this requirement.

What is the deadline for returning the Hepatitis B statement form?
The signed statement must be returned to the address on the form as soon as possible to prevent delays in registering for future semesters or by the first day of instruction.

What if I have lost my form?
Simply download another: Hepatitis B statement form

What will happen if I do not return the Hepatitis B statement form?
If you do not comply with this requirement, your registration will be blocked. If this happens, you will need to take steps to comply with the requirement immediately and return the Hepatitis B Statement Form before the block will be removed.

I will not have completed all three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine prior to coming to Cal. What can I do?
Send in the Hepatitis B Statement Form, indicating which doses you have received and when the next is due. You may receive your immunizations at UHS by calling 643-7177 to make an appointment to receive the remaining dose. Please note that there is a fee for this service. If you are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), insurance will cover 80% of the customary and reasonable rate. For those enrolled under other plans we advise checking with your carrier. Some will not pay for out-of-area services.

What if I received a single dose of Hepatitis B vaccine a year ago but did not complete the series of three doses of vaccine?
Hepatitis B Vaccine is usually given intramuscularly in three doses. Dose #2 is generally given 1 month after the first and the third dose is 6 months later. However there is some flexibility in the administration of the Hepatitis B vaccine:

• there should be at least 4 weeks between dose #1 and dose #2;
• at least 8 weeks between dose #2 and dose #3; and
• at least 4 months between dose #1 and dose #3.

Longer periods of time between doses are acceptable to coincide with routine visits to the healthcare provider. In the example above, if you have not completed the Hepatitis B vaccination series, there is no need to restart the series. Get the second dose and be sure there are at least 8 weeks between dose #2 and dose #3.

What if I have had Hepatitis B?
If you have immunity as a result of having had the disease, have your health care provider indicate that on the Hepatitis B immunity statement, section #3. Return the form as directed.

What is a Hepatitis B vaccination is contraindicated due to a medical condition?
If you have a medical contraindication to Hepatitis B immunization, have your health care provider complete section #4 on the Hepatitis B Statement Form. The specific nature of the condition and probable duration are required. Return the form as directed.

I will be turning 19 before I have had all three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. Do I still need to complete the Hepatitis B vaccination series?
Yes. If you were under 19 years of age upon the first day of Fall instruction you must comply with the Hepatitis B immunity requirement.

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