CareCardHepatitis B
How to prepare hepatitis B vaccination and serology records when your program or placement assigns this requirement.
Applicability: Your program or placement may assign this requirement, particularly when work may involve exposure to blood or blood products.
CareCard catalogue default: 5 years.
Evidence reviewed: August 30, 2026
Follow the evidence and expiry shown in your CareCard requirement. A health care provider should interpret serology and recommend any additional doses; do not use this page to interpret your own laboratory result.
What your assigned requirement may ask for
- A record of the hepatitis B vaccine series
- A laboratory report for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs)
- Documentation of additional doses when your assigned requirement asks for it
The timing of the blood test matters. Keep the vaccine dates and the laboratory report together so the result can be assessed in context.
Current guidance
The Canadian Immunization Guide recommends hepatitis B vaccination for health care workers who may be exposed to blood, blood products, or blood-contaminated instruments. For these workers, post-immunization serology is recommended one to six months after the primary series. An anti-HBs result of at least 10 IU/L at that time is considered protective.
A low result is not a diagnosis by itself. Management depends on vaccination history, the timing of testing, health status, and occupational risk. Follow a qualified provider's advice.
CareCard validity
CareCard's current catalogue default is 5 years. This is a document-tracking default and does not mean that clinical immunity automatically ends after five years. The expiry shown on your assigned requirement controls.