<p>Does anyone here know that if you received a Hepatitis B vaccine as a child, does it last forever? Do you need to get another one every few years?</p>
<p>I don’t think any vaccine can be guaranteed to last forever. I got whooping cough at 24 despite having been vaccinated as a child.</p>
<p>Son was just re-vaccinated for whooping cough/tetanus this summer at annual check-up. He is 20 years old. I had reminded him to check on the tetanus when he went in for the annual check-up as I didn’t think he would want a tetanus shot if/when there was an emergency and need for one (knew that it was probably about time for a new tetanus-it does not last forever!) . Dr. indicated need for a new one and that it included updated whooping cough vaccine as well. Glad it was done! As far as Hep B vaccine, I know that son was vaccinated well before college; and at next check-up will remind him to ask about updates on vaccinations. I would not assume that it would last forever as previous poster mentioned. I would ask at check-ups to make sure you are covered or at least give you a time line of when to think about re-vaccinations for any and all!</p>
<p>17 year old son got re-vaccinated for whooping cough when he got the flew shot. Told there is a resurgence of whopping cough going on.<br>
Also, will get the meningitis vaccine before college as he had the old one several years ago for camp (they last 5 years) but it is not the brand they are recommending now. Pediatrician wants to give him the newer version of the shot.</p>
<p>My college son who is now home on break will get re-vaccinated for whopping cough and meningitis next month.</p>
<p>The CDC says that immunity to hepatitis B lasts for 20 years post-vaccination, assuming the person vaccinated was more than 6 months old. They are still studying if children who are being immunized starting soon after birth will need “boosters” later on in life.</p>
<p>Doesn’t Hep B require three shots? My D received 3 shots spaced 4 weeks between the first two, and then 5 months after, the third. She had them when she was 5 years old, and did not need a booster for college. Hep A as far as I know is the one that needs repeating over a given amount of time, if you travel to certain countries.
Tetanus btw, lasts 10 years before a booster is required.</p>
<p>Yes, the Hepatitis B vaccine is a series of 3 shots—the immunity lasts for at least 20 years after the third. </p>
<p>The tetanus vaccine is now being given as a booster, with diptheria and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine added, as many adults were starting to get whooping cough again. Most doctors will re-vaccinate for tetanus, anyway, after only 5 years if you get a dirty wound.</p>