Hep B Vaccination for Newborn?

JuberP

When it comes to vaccinations, I am generally of the mindset to go with the doctor-recommended course.

My DH surprised me last night by saying we are NOT getting our LO the Hep B vaccination and we MUST include it in our birth plan.  I can be agreeable if there is a justified reason one way or the other, so DH provided me with the article that led him to this decision.  The author of the article is a conspiracy theorist who ultimately claims the government is trying to take over and rule the world and we should all fight the power and so on.  This is all a recent passion of my DH that I really don't subscribe to (actually, I have too much other stuff going on right now to give it any attention or really care).  The argument was more based on politics than medical fact.

I plan to talk to my Obgyn on Friday, but am wondering, if you declined the Hep B vaccination for your newborn, may I ask why?  I am still forming my opinion and would like some non-political agenda based input or experience

Thanks!

dbertagni

I read a few articles and we also declined it at delivery, there really isn't a need for it right then, and they can get it in the office at 2 weeks old. I read some stuff on how it may lead to breastfeeding issues, etc. I have not followed the routine vaccination schedule, since we delayed the Hep shot, the next one was also delayed and then we delayed the MMR and the Chicken Pox, only from 12 months and we are doing it at 18 months which is still in line with the AAP recommendations. HERE is a link to an article I read and some info (the #1 on the page) about delaying.

ETA- As for including it in your birth plans, there are SO many nurses and doctors and they take the baby away a lot, so I just kept saying it over and over and made sure my DH knew (but he still had no clue). Since I had a c-section I wasn't around for all that stuff.

 

Jules_NC

We waited on the Hep B for a few weeks.  I wasn't keen on her getting that particular vaccine at the hospital.  It wasn't a big deal.  They asked and we told them we would get it at one of her follow-up ped visits.  We've been on time with everything else except the MMR and Varicella - we're waiting until 18 months for MMR and not sure about the varicella.

crescentmoon99

We declined at the hospital.  I don't know that you need it in your birth plan, since it's not given at birth, but rather before you are discharged.  We were asked very clearly about it, and I signed a form declining.  Hep B is an STD.  I was not that concerned about my newborn catching it.  The reason it is given in the hospital is mainly just a standardized schedule trying to ensure that as many babies are vaccinated as possible, for those who will not receive regular checkups.  I couldn't see a reason for Liam to have a vaccine of any kind before he'd at least had a few weeks of life to build some sort of immune system.  He received the Hep B shot at 2 weeks old, but honestly, if I'd done my homework back then, I'd have delayed it longer.

Anyway, if you want more information on vaccines, I recommend reading The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears (you should be able to get it at the library).  It is not an anti-vaccine book, it just lays out all the childhood vaccines for you, explains what they vaccinate against, what the side effects are, how it's made, etc.

lah1177

We declined the HepB vaccine at birth for both my DD and my DS. I had to make sure the nurses knew it and signed off on paperwork for it. I just don't think a newborn needs this vaccine, in fact, my DD still has not had it and my DS will not get it for a long time either. I spoke with my pedi about it and he said this was one we could delay bc my infant/toddler will not be having sex, doing drugs, etc. The only risk there is in not having it/delaying it is if they are in an accident and need a blood transfusion (worth the risk to me). I highly recommend reading The Vaccine Book as well, we did a modified vaccine schedule with DD and will be doing the same with my DS. Good luck!

JuberP

Thanks, ladies!  That gives me some good direction.  I really like the idea of delaying it at the hospital, then reading up and talking to the ped.  I think DH is about not getting it at all, but at least this way I can compromise and buy us some time to learn more.