No, the hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine is not a live vaccine.
The Hep B vaccine does not contain any live viruses. It is made using a component of the hepatitis B virus, specifically the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This component is produced through recombinant DNA technology. Because the vaccine only contains a part of the virus, it cannot cause a hepatitis B infection. The vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the HBsAg. If you are later exposed to the actual hepatitis B virus, these antibodies will protect you from infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend universal hepatitis B vaccination, starting at birth, because hepatitis B is a serious disease that can lead to chronic liver infection, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death.
