Internal Medicine

Hepatitis A & B Vaccination in Seomyeon, Busan

Hepatitis A and B vaccination protects against two viruses that infect the liver. In Seomyeon, internal medicine clinics often start with a quick antibody blood test to see whether you are already immune, then give the first injection in the upper arm. Hepatitis A needs two doses 6–12 months apart; hepatitis B usually needs three doses over six months.

Independent patient guide · Medically informative, not a substitute for a doctor's advice · Last reviewed:

October 2026
Clinic in Seomyeon, Busan

What is hepatitis A and B vaccination?

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water and causes acute illness with fever, nausea and jaundice that can be severe in adults. Hepatitis B spreads through blood, sexual contact and from mother to baby, and can become a chronic infection leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Both are preventable with inactivated vaccines that have been used safely for decades.

Who is it for?

  • Adults who were never vaccinated and have no antibodies on testing
  • Many younger adults in Korea who grew up after hepatitis A became less common and so lack natural immunity
  • Travellers to regions where hepatitis A or B is common
  • Healthcare workers, people with chronic liver disease, and household or sexual partners of someone with hepatitis B
  • People with diabetes, kidney disease or HIV, according to your doctor's advice

What happens at the clinic

  1. Antibody check: a blood test for hepatitis A IgG and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) shows whether you are already immune. Hepatitis B surface antigen is often checked too.
  2. Review: the doctor explains results, usually within a day or two, and which vaccines you need.
  3. First dose: an injection into the upper arm muscle, followed by 15–30 minutes of observation.
  4. Booking follow-ups: you receive dates for the remaining doses and a vaccination record.
  5. Post-vaccination test: for some people, such as healthcare workers, an antibody test 1–2 months after the last hepatitis B dose confirms protection.

Recovery and aftercare

There is no downtime. Expect possible arm soreness, slight fatigue or a mild headache for a day. Keep your record safe and set reminders for the remaining doses, since an incomplete series gives less reliable protection.

Risks and side effects

Serious reactions are rare. Tell the clinic if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine or to yeast, which is used in making some hepatitis B vaccines. Vaccination is usually postponed during a high fever. If you miss a dose, you generally continue the series rather than restart.

Choosing a clinic for hepatitis vaccination in Seomyeon

  • Ask whether antibody testing is offered first so you do not pay for doses you do not need.
  • Check which vaccine brands are stocked and whether doses are interchangeable if you finish abroad.
  • Ask about accelerated schedules if you are travelling soon.
  • Request an English-language vaccination certificate with batch numbers.
  • Confirm whether hepatitis B carriers found during testing can be followed up at the same clinic.

For short stays and students

If you will leave Busan before the series is complete, ask the clinic for a record you can show a doctor at home. Seomyeon's location on both metro lines makes return visits for the second and third doses simple to fit in.

Key facts

  • Protects against: hepatitis A (food and water) and hepatitis B (blood and sexual contact)
  • Pre-test: antibody blood test often offered first
  • Hepatitis A schedule: 2 doses, 6–12 months apart
  • Hepatitis B schedule: usually 3 doses at 0, 1 and 6 months
  • Procedure time: a few minutes plus brief observation
  • Side effects: sore arm, mild fatigue for a day or two
  • Protection: long-lasting after completing the series

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a blood test before hepatitis vaccines?

It is not mandatory, but it is common in Korea. An antibody test shows whether you are already immune from past infection or vaccination, which can save unnecessary doses and also detects existing hepatitis B infection.

How many hepatitis B shots do adults need?

Most adults need three doses, usually at 0, 1 and 6 months. Some newer vaccines use two doses, and accelerated schedules exist for urgent travel. Your doctor will choose based on the product available.

Can I get hepatitis A and B vaccines on the same day?

Yes. The two vaccines can be given at the same visit in different arms. In some countries a combined vaccine is available; ask the clinic which options it stocks.

What if I miss my second or third dose?

You do not usually need to restart. Get the next dose as soon as possible and continue the schedule. Bring your vaccination record so the clinic can see what you have already received.

How long does hepatitis vaccine protection last?

After a completed series, protection is considered long-lasting for most healthy people, often lifelong. Boosters are not routinely needed, though some high-risk groups have antibody levels checked.

Medical disclaimer: Seomyeon.Clinic is an independent information directory. Content is for general education and does not replace a consultation with a licensed physician. Suitability, risks, results and costs vary by person and clinic. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.