Care365.caYour health is one click away
Menu
Vaccine product guide

ENGERIX-B

Hepatitis B surface antigen (recombinant) · Hepatitis B

Health Canada DIN 02487039. Check the product and formulation on your record before using a schedule.

Plan doses for this product →
DIN
02487039
Family
Hepatitis B
Guidance checked
2026-09-27
← All Hepatitis B products

About this vaccine

This vaccine helps protect you from getting hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by a virus.

ENGERIX-B is listed under Health Canada DIN 02487039. The product record and monograph below describe this formulation; the dose schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.

At a glance

Brand
ENGERIX-B
DIN
02487039
Vaccine
Hepatitis B surface antigen (recombinant)
Presentation
20 mcg / 1 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 20 years and older; 11 to 15 two-dose; dialysis as a double dose
Live vaccine
No

Age and suitability depend on the product, the person and the reason for vaccination. Use the planner for a starting point and confirm with a healthcare professional.

Official sources

Use the DIN to confirm this exact product in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.

Health CanadaMonograph PDF

A listed product may not be stocked or publicly funded.

Before and after your vaccination

  • Bring your immunization record if you have one, so earlier doses can be checked.
  • Tell the healthcare professional about a serious reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient, and mention any health conditions or medicines that could affect your vaccination.
  • After the dose, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes. Tell someone right away if you feel faint or develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
  • Keep a record of the vaccine name, date and dose you received.

These steps come from the Canadian Immunization Guide's administration practices and acute reactions guidance.

Practical guidance for ENGERIX-B

The details below are adapted from a Pharmasist patient handout linked to the same product monograph. The current Canadian Immunization Guide determines the dose schedules shown later.

What this vaccine helps prevent

  • This vaccine helps protect you from getting hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by a virus.
  • It can be given from birth onward and is recommended for infants, children, and adults at risk of hepatitis B.
  • Because hepatitis D can only infect people who also have hepatitis B, this vaccine is expected to protect against hepatitis D as well.
  • This vaccine does not protect against hepatitis A.

What to mention before a dose

  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has ever had an allergic reaction to this vaccine or any of its ingredients.
  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has a bleeding problem or bruises easily.
  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has a weak immune system, including HIV infection.
  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has liver disease, including hepatitis C.
  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child is on dialysis for kidney disease.
  • Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child was born very prematurely.

How it is given

  • This vaccine is given as a shot into the muscle of the upper arm, or into the thigh muscle in babies and young children.
  • A healthcare professional gives the injection; you do not need to prepare or give it yourself.
  • Food and drink do not affect this vaccine, since it is not taken by mouth.

Important things to know

  • Vaccination should be delayed if you or your child has a high fever or a serious infection. A minor cold is not usually a reason to delay.
  • Serious allergic reactions can happen after any vaccine. Tell the person giving the vaccine right away if you or your child has had a reaction to a previous dose.
  • If your baby was born very prematurely, their breathing may need to be watched closely for a few days after vaccination, though the vaccine should not be delayed because of this.
  • Fainting can happen around the time of any injection. Tell the person giving the vaccine if you or your child has fainted with needles before.

Effects you may notice

  • Pain and redness where the injection is given are very common.
  • Feeling tired is very common.
  • Irritability is very common, especially in young children.
  • Headache is very common.
  • Upset stomach, being sick, diarrhea, or stomach pain can happen.
  • Swelling at the injection site can happen.
  • Feeling generally unwell can happen.
  • Fever can happen.
  • Loss of appetite can happen.
  • Feeling sleepy can happen.

When to contact a healthcare professional

  • Contact your healthcare professional if you or your child has muscle aches, joint pain, numbness, or tingling after vaccination.
  • Contact your healthcare professional if you or your child has dizziness that does not go away.
  • Contact your healthcare professional if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Contact your healthcare professional if your child has breathing difficulties in the days after vaccination, especially if born prematurely.
  • Contact your healthcare professional about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

When to get emergency help

  • Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
  • Get emergency help for a widespread rash, hives, or severe itching.
  • Get emergency help for wheezing or sudden difficulty breathing.
  • Get emergency help for a seizure or fit.
  • Get emergency help for fainting that does not quickly recover, or a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Other medicines and vaccines

  • Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines, vaccines, vitamins, and natural health products you or your child are taking.
  • This vaccine can be given at the same time as the human papillomavirus vaccine.
  • No food or alcohol interactions are expected, since this vaccine is not taken by mouth.

Key points to remember

  • Keep a record of your or your child's vaccination dates in case proof of immunization is ever needed.
  • Tell any healthcare provider that you or your child recently received this vaccine before other vaccines or treatments are given.
  • Ask your doctor whether you or your child may need a booster dose or antibody testing, especially if you have a condition that weakens the immune system.

The practical points are adapted from the Pharmasist reference for ENGERIX-B and its matching product monograph.

Dose schedules

These are Canadian Immunization Guide schedules associated with this DIN. The right schedule depends on age, health, prior doses and reason for vaccination. Public health recommendations may differ from a product monograph's authorized schedule.

Hepatitis B — standard three-dose series

3 doses

Standard hepatitis B series at months 0, 1 and 6.

Minimum intervals: 4 weeks between doses 1 and 2, 2 months between doses 2 and 3, and 4 months between doses 1 and 3. The age-appropriate product and dose are chosen by your healthcare professional; blood testing after the series is needed for some people.

Hepatitis B — adolescents 11 to 15 years, two doses (adult dose)

2 doses

Two adult-strength doses at months 0 and 4 to 6, for adolescents 11 to less than 16 years.

For 11 to less than 16 years of age, the standard adult dose (RECOMBIVAX HB 10 mcg, or ENGERIX-B 20 mcg) may be given as two doses, the second 4 to 6 months after the first, when a three-dose series is unlikely to be completed.

Hepatitis B (ENGERIX-B, double dose) — dialysis or weakened immune system, four doses

4 doses

Two 20 mcg injections at each of months 0, 1, 2 and 6.

For adults 20 years and older on dialysis, with chronic renal failure or with some immunocompromising conditions, using ENGERIX-B at double the usual dose (40 mcg) at months 0, 1, 2 and 6. Blood testing after the series is required.

Check your dose plan →

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Family guidance on pregnancy: Recommended for people without immunity who are at high risk of exposure.

Family guidance on breastfeeding: Use if indicated.

This guidance applies to the vaccine family. Confirm this product's details in the monograph and with your clinician. Immunization in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Canadian Immunization Guide — Chapter updated August 2026.

References and product information

General information only. A suggested date is not an appointment or a prescription; a healthcare professional confirms what you need. Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27.

Explore care options