A GLOBAL shortage of the hepatitis B vaccine has had a "severe impact UK supply", health officials have said.

Health Protection Scotland said the situation during August would be "particularly critical" but added that "there are likely to be some continuing limitations on supply until early 2018".

HPS has contacted colleagues elsewhere in the UK about the supply problems.

It confirmed that Public Health England, in consultation with the devolved agencies, has developed a temporary priority list to guide clinicians on those who need the vaccine the most.

Babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B are at the top of the list. HPS said this paediatric supply had been protected and there should be "no delay" in providing the vaccine to these children.

Among those placed in the second priority group are people who have had a needle-stick injury from a known positive person and those who have sexual exposure.

Those considered at lowest risk are people seeking booster jabs, having already completed a primary course of immunisation.

And travellers to "medium and high endemicity countries" are considered to be the second lowest priority for the vaccine.

For other people, a doctor may advise that the hepatitis B vaccine can be deferred until later.

Hepatitis B is an acute infection of the liver. It is usually spread through contaminated blood via sexual intercourse, needle sharing, blood transfusions and injections.

In its advice to health officials, PHE states: "Temporary recommendations on hepatitis B immunisation have been developed in light of recent global shortages of hepatitis B vaccine, including combination hepatitis A/B vaccine, which have severely impacted UK supply."

The supply issues do not affect the "six in one" vaccine - which protects against hepatitis B as well as other childhood diseases - which is given as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme.

Some travellers are advised to get the immunisation before travelling abroad dependent on the length of their stay and the activities they undertake while abroad. Areas where there is a higher risk of exposure to hepatitis B include Africa, India, China, South and Central America and South East Asia.

Risk for travellers is low although certain behaviours or activities put people at higher risk, including long-stay travel and unprotected sex.

The PHE guide for health professionals adds: "A risk assessment should be done on a case-by-case basis to determine whether vaccination against hepatitis B is indicated but it is unlikely to be available for travel purposes alone."

HPS added: "The situation is under constant review, to help sustain supply for the rest of the year. HPS will keep stakeholders updated with any further developments."