Who is advised to receive the hepatitis B vaccine?

The recommendation for unvaccinated individuals under 60 to receive the hepatitis B vaccine is based on the heightened risk of transmission and the potential severity of the disease among certain populations. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to chronic liver disease and other serious health issues. Individuals who have not been vaccinated, especially those under 60, are at an increased risk of contracting the virus, particularly if they are in environments where exposure is more likely, such as among those with multiple sexual partners, people who inject drugs, or those with occupational exposure.

While children are also encouraged to receive the vaccine, emphasizing only children under 12 overlooks the broader age range that encompasses those recommended for vaccination. Furthermore, recommending the vaccine solely for adults over 60 with diabetes fails to recognize that there are various other risk factors that could apply to unvaccinated individuals. Healthcare workers, while part of a high-risk group, are not the only category at risk, and thus a focused recommendation solely for them would not adequately cover the general population's needs for vaccine protection.