hep b vaccine

Anna&Matt

did your baby get it at the hospital? what are the pros/cons of doing it?

They asked us last night if we wanted the baby to get it when we were checked in and I honestly haven't even thought about it yet. 

sweetpea7628

No.  Becuase the only way she could have gotten Hep B was if I had hep b and I did not.  So we opted against getting it at the hospital.  Plus she had so many other needles in her for her first few days we didn't want one more.

She did however get the vitamin K crap in her eyes.

Dr.BeepersWife

We are going to wait until the two month mark to give the vaccine.  It just doesn't seem necessary right after birth.

sweetpea7628

ecoseriu:

We are going to wait until the two month mark to give the vaccine.  It just doesn't seem necessary right after birth.

This is what we did too.  She got it at 2 months, just not at birth. 

Anna&Matt

hmmm ok. Good to know! I don't have hep b so I guess we can wait on that - I am going to ask the pedi his opinion when we meet with him on Monday too. I hadn't even really thought about any of that yet b/c I figured we have a ton of time left to decide.

Lambie.

It is one of the vaccines required for school now.  I plan on giving it at the hospital.  It will save you a trip to the pediatrician later.

weelass24

ecoseriu:

We are going to wait until the two month mark to give the vaccine.  It just doesn't seem necessary right after birth.

This is what we did. 

Lyssapee

It's a relatively safe vaccine, with little knowns side effects.  Most people have gotten it, it's mandatory to get it before starting kindergarten in NJ.

Hep B is/can be very contagious.  The disease is a blood bourne disease and  can live on surfaces for I believe 18-23 days.

However if you are going to be home with baby, and baby isn't going to day care out out in crowded places, IMO, I don't see the point of getting it right away... 

I have had 2 series of 3 shots, and 2 boosters, the max you can get.  I am unable to maintain immunity.  Infact no one in my family (fathers side) has been able to hold on to immunity.  (I think it may have to do with a genetic blood disorder we all  have or carry, Thanks grandma!)

If you have the vaccine and immunity you child is likely to have immunity through you for about 3 months of it's life.  The vaccine series takes about 6 months.  If my child was going into daycare after a few weeks, I would  start the vaccine process as birth, but i will be home for about 5 months, and after that my FIL and Dad will come to our house.  (thank god)

My child will get the vaccine eventually, but I prefer not to give it to him/her straight out of the birth canal. 

I have no idea if that makes sense of if I went on a complete tangent...

Anna&Matt

Thanks Lyssa! That is really helpful. So if the baby will be starting daycare somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks would you recommend starting at the hospital or waiting a little bit?

Lyssapee

Anna&Matt:

Thanks Lyssa! That is really helpful. So if the baby will be starting daycare somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks would you recommend starting at the hospital or waiting a little bit?

It really takes 7-8 months to show immunity...  I personally would recomend starting it when you can.  I don't see the problem in waiting for the 2 month appointment though.  That is what I am planning to do, it's also what my sister is going to do.  Different states may or may not require the vaccine in day care.  Check you your pedi and day care to see if it's required, your babe might actually be required to have one dose before starting.

Dr.BeepersWife

Anna&Matt:

Thanks Lyssa! That is really helpful. So if the baby will be starting daycare somewhere between 12 and 16 weeks would you recommend starting at the hospital or waiting a little bit?

I just saw in TX it is not required until Kindergarten.