The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies receive the first dose of vaccine within 24 hours of birth if possible. The majority of the European Union (EU) countries have a programme to vaccinate all newborns against hepatitis B.

In a few EU countries (the United Kingdom and some Nordic countries) vaccination against hepatitis B is offered only to newborns at high risk (i.e. newborns of mothers who are hepatitis B-positive). If you are living in one of these countries, you may want to consider having your children vaccinated at your own expense in consultation with your doctor or other health-care provider.