Under what conditions should a HepB series be restarted if the first dose was received, but subsequent doses were missed?

The Hepatitis B vaccine series is designed to provide long-lasting immunity, and if the first dose has already been administered, it is important to understand how to proceed with the remaining doses if they are missed. The correct approach, which is to resume the immunization series rather than restart it, acknowledges that individuals usually still retain some level of immunity after receiving the first dose.

Current guidelines recommend that if the initial dose of the HepB series was given but subsequent doses are missed, the series should not be restarted. Instead, you continue with the next dose as soon as feasible, regardless of how much time has passed since the missed dose. This strategy helps ensure that individuals complete their vaccination regimen without unnecessary delays or waste of vaccines.

Choosing the option to restart the series based on various timeframes is not aligned with the recommendations, which emphasize the importance of completing the series rather than starting over, as this can lead to confusion and possible under-immunization. Thus, continuing with the series where it was interrupted helps maintain a more streamlined approach to vaccination and ensures that individuals achieve full immunity without redundant doses.