Why Does My Baby Need Hepatitis B Vaccine?

On December 5th, the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization

Practices) recommended not to give the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns.

This recommendation goes against a 34-year standard of care for infants

that has reduced the Hepatitis B infections by 99% in young children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend that

newborns receive the first dose of Hep B vaccine in the first 24 hours,

even if the mother tests negative, because the mother can have a false

negative test and may have acquired the disease after her test was done.

Some have recommended giving the vaccine when they are

teenagers, when they’re at risk of exposure, since it is a sexually

transmitted disease. Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease, but is

also spread by contact with blood that is infected. Newborns are at risk

because of the birth process and can be exposed to someone after birth

who may not know they have Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccines are recommended for newborns because it is such a

devastating disease for young children. Over 90% of infants with

Hepatitis B will develop chronic hepatitis with resulting liver damage,

cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Over 25% of those infected will die from

liver failure or cancer. Hundreds of studies have revealed no severe side

effects from the vaccine. There is no evidence that this vaccine or any

vaccine causes autism.

Yes, the vaccine is still available. It is still covered by your insurance and

by the “Vaccines for Children” program. Talk with your pediatrician about

getting this important and potentially life-saving vaccine for your newborn.

The best time to start the vaccine series is in the first 24 hrs of life. A

second dose is given at 1-2 months, and the third dose at 6-18 months.

Your doctor can answer any questions you may have, or you can find more

information on AAP website, healthychildren.org.