Which statement about hepatitis B vaccination is true?

Which statement about hepatitis B vaccination is true?

• A. It cures hepatitis B if infected
• B. It is not recommended for dialysis patients
• C. Vaccine administration has no effect
• D. Vaccination helps build immunity

Answer: (C)

Vaccination works by teaching the immune system to recognize the hepatitis B surface antigen and to produce protective antibodies. Those antibodies stay in the blood and can prevent hepatitis B infection if exposed in the future, so vaccination builds immunity. This isn’t a treatment for someone who is already infected, and vaccination is actually recommended for dialysis patients because they’re at higher risk of exposure during treatments. Some individuals, including many on dialysis, may respond less robustly and might need the full vaccine series or additional doses with antibody testing to confirm immunity. In short, the vaccine’s purpose and effect are to generate protective immunity, making the statement that vaccination helps build immunity the true one.

Vaccination works by teaching the immune system to recognize the hepatitis B surface antigen and to produce protective antibodies. Those antibodies stay in the blood and can prevent hepatitis B infection if exposed in the future, so vaccination builds immunity. This isn’t a treatment for someone who is already infected, and vaccination is actually recommended for dialysis patients because they’re at higher risk of exposure during treatments. Some individuals, including many on dialysis, may respond less robustly and might need the full vaccine series or additional doses with antibody testing to confirm immunity. In short, the vaccine’s purpose and effect are to generate protective immunity, making the statement that vaccination helps build immunity the true one.