Hep B vaccine at birth

Craylo

I've googled and I am still coming up short on this subject. My question is, Why does my baby need a hep B shot at birth, if I do not have the virus? Hep B is transmitted through sex, iv drug use and from mother to child (if the mother has it). So why does my child need it?

Any information would help, TIA.

 

Becky262

Actually, I had the Hep B vaccine series (which btw the vaccine is only about 85% effective) and done absolutely none of the risk behaviors (no tattoos, no piercings, sex only with DH, no drug use, no overseas trips, not even a bar room brawl) - and I still had acute Hep B.  I only found out because I donate blood to the Red Cross.

Apparently, you can get Hep B from things like gym equipement not being wiped down properly.

So even if you don't plan on raising an heroin junky sex worker, there are many ways you can be exposed to Hep B in everyday life.

icyblueeyez19

Its part of a series to PREVENT hep B. Just b/c you dont have hep B doesnt mean your child will never become exposed to it. Although it cannot be trasmitted casually, it can be transmitted through blood, not just sexually transmitted.

 

 

BugLuv

I was actually concerned about this too, but I asked the pediatricians when I interviewed them what they thought.  Apparently there is a very high rate of people who have Hep B in my state.  It is a preventative measure to protect the baby.  There is no studies that I am aware of that say you need to wait or hold off on this, as it doesn't appear to adversly affect the baby. 

I also found this when I was doing my research...makes sense, and follows what my Dr told me...

Most healthy adults (90%) who are infected will recover and develop protective antibodies against future hepatitis B infections. A small number (5-10%) will be unable to get rid of the virus and will develop chronic infections. Unfortunately, this is not true for infants and young children ? 90% of infants and up to 50% of young children infected with hepatitis B will develop chronic infections. Therefore, vaccination is essential to protect infants and children.

ashalsup

icyblueeyez19:

Its part of a series to PREVENT hep B. Just b/c you dont have hep B doesnt mean your child will never become exposed to it. Although it cannot be trasmitted casually, it can be transmitted through blood, not just sexually transmitted.

 

 

This!

LWright

I also asked my doctor and soon-to-be ped. and they both said there is no reason to get it at brith or even within the first few weeks of birth.  There are vaccines that can be given at a later date with minimal risk to the baby and this is one of them.  Given all the shots they try to give infants so early, I'm working with my ped. to determine which ones to give first vs. which ones to do at a later date.  It is a personal decision you have to make.  I would recommend Dr. Sears' book on vaccines.  This book gives both point of views and really lets you come to your own conclusion.

julygal

Our pediatrician for DD recommended it at birth and we did it.  We moved to another state and joined a different practice.  This new practice does not vaccinate for Hep B at birth, but they wait.  I can't remember when they do it though.

jenp02

They give it at birth to all babies because they can't discriminate from those babies who may be subject to people or things that carry Hep.  I don't want to discriminate, but yes a "normal" baby would not need this shot at birth..so you DO have the right to refuse it.  We did w/ DD and got it at her 2 or 3 week check-up instead...where they insisted we start the series.  I felt better than having her get it in the 1st hrs after birth.

bitsy_b

LWright:

I also asked my doctor and soon-to-be ped. and they both said there is no reason to get it at brith or even within the first few weeks of birth.  There are vaccines that can be given at a later date with minimal risk to the baby and this is one of them.  Given all the shots they try to give infants so early, I'm working with my ped. to determine which ones to give first vs. which ones to do at a later date.  It is a personal decision you have to make.  I would recommend Dr. Sears' book on vaccines.  This book gives both point of views and really lets you come to your own conclusion.

 I'm reading the Dr. Sears Vaccine Book right now, would also highly recommend it to all mothers-to-be.  

And you expressed my opinion on the Hep B vaccine exactly.    This is definitely one, IMO, that can be given later as it's not something babies are usually exposed to.

demmie326

The hospital we will be delivering at strongly encourages the vaccine however it is not mandatory.  The nurse for the hospital tour mentioned all of the reasons posted above as well as providers seeing vaccinations at birth as a way encouraging/increasing follow through with other vaccinations as this vaccination requires several boosters.  We met with our pediatrician this week who identified that we can delay the vaccination at birth but reccomends that the little guy get it at one of his monthly visits.

kjlrs

i agree that it's not necessary at birth, but it's also not harmful at all. there is conflicting information out there, from doctors, on hep B and its transmission methods. a very close friend of mine had some liver difficulties and bloodwork initially indicated hep B. it ended up not being that, but his doctor actually called him back from a business trip and told him that his wife and children were at risk and needed to be tested, and people could even get it from casual kissing/sharing drinks. however i've also read and heard that it's more like the hep C/hiv methods where it requires blood/fluid sharing. some of the former transmission methods may be much less likely but are still at least somewhat possible.