Hepatitis B Vaccine in Akoka & Yaba, Lagos

A Complete Guide from Mascot Healthcare Clinic, Akoka (Yaba)

Hello Friend!

Hepatitis B is one of the most common — and most preventable — serious infections in Nigeria. The good news is that a safe, effective vaccine can protect you for life. At Mascot Healthcare Clinic on Sholanke Street in Akoka (Yaba), we now offer the full Hepatitis B vaccination for adults, families, students and healthcare workers across Mainland Lagos.

If you live, work or study around Akoka, Yaba, Bariga, Onike, Iwaya, Fola Agoro or the University of Lagos, this guide explains everything you need to know.

Why Hepatitis B Matters So Much in Nigeria

Nigeria is classified as a high-endemicity country for hepatitis B, meaning the virus is far more common here than in many other parts of the world. Many people carry the virus without any symptoms for years, which is exactly what makes it dangerous — it can quietly damage the liver long before anyone notices.

Hepatitis B is a virus (HBV) that attacks the liver. In some people the body clears it, but in others it becomes a chronic, lifelong infection that can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Prevention through vaccination is far simpler, safer and cheaper than treating the complications.

How Hepatitis B Spreads

Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Common routes include:

From mother to baby during childbirth
Unprotected sexual contact
Sharing needles, razors, clippers or toothbrushes
Unsterile injections, tattoos, piercings or manicure tools
Accidental needle-stick injuries (a real risk for healthcare workers)

Importantly, hepatitis B is not spread by hugging, sharing food, or casual everyday contact.

Why Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?

It prevents a serious, potentially life-threatening liver infection
It protects against chronic liver disease and liver cancer
It is over 95% effective once the full series is completed
It is safe, with only mild and short-lived side effects for most people
Protection usually lasts a lifetime — no routine booster needed for healthy adults

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

The W.H.O recommends the Hepatitis B vaccine for everyone, but it is especially important for:

Healthcare and frontline workers

Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, dentists, medical and nursing students, and anyone exposed to blood or needles. Many hospitals and schools around Yaba — including those linked to LUTH and UNILAG — require proof of vaccination.

Higher-risk adults

People with more than one sexual partner
Household members or partners of someone living with hepatitis B
People living with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections
Anyone who has had an unsterile injection, tattoo or piercing

Infants, children and young adults

All newborns should receive their first dose within 24 hours of birth. Children and adolescents who missed vaccination, and all adults up to age 59, should also be protected. Adults 60 and above can be vaccinated if they have risk factors or simply want the protection.

The Hepatitis B Vaccination Schedule

Full protection comes from a 3-dose series given over six months:

First dose — at your first visit
Second dose — one month after the first
Third dose — six months after the first, completing the series

If you miss a dose, you do not need to start over — simply complete the remaining doses. An antibody (anti-HBs) test 1–2 months after the final dose can confirm immunity, and is especially useful for healthcare workers.

Should You Test Before Vaccinating?

Sometimes, yes. A simple screening test tells us whether you already have hepatitis B, or whether you are already immune. We may recommend testing first if you are unsure of your status, have been exposed, or are in a higher-risk group.

At Mascot Healthcare we offer both Hepatitis B screening and a more detailed Hepatitis B profile right here in Akoka, so you can test and start your vaccination in one place.

Is the Vaccine Safe?

Yes. Over a billion doses have been given worldwide. The vaccine contains only a small protein from the virus, not the live virus — so it cannot give you hepatitis B. The most common side effects are mild: a little soreness at the injection site, and sometimes a low-grade fever or tiredness that settles quickly. It is also considered safe during pregnancy.

Protect Your Whole Family

Because hepatitis B spreads within households, it is wise to protect everyone living under one roof. Vaccination pairs well with our other preventive services, including the HPV vaccine for cervical-cancer protection, our confidential STI clinic, and our full-body health check packages.

Get Your Hepatitis B Vaccine in Akoka (Yaba), Lagos

Mascot Healthcare Clinic is located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos — easy to reach from Bariga, Onike, Iwaya, Fola Agoro and the University of Lagos. Vaccines are administered by experienced healthcare professionals, and walk-ins are welcome (Mon–Sat, 9am–5pm). We will schedule your next dose before you leave.

Learn More & Book Your Hepatitis B Vaccine