Is anyone else holding off on the hep b vaccine?

Hipshaker · January 2016

I have decided to hold off on getting the Hep b Vaccine in hospital. I'm going to wait until we visit his pediatrician later. I takes three rounds of shots to develop immunity so delaying one month sounds reasonable. My Midwife suggested this as she said studies show it may cause difficulty with nursing for newborns. I'm not refusing any other interventions like the vitamin k shot or eye jelly. Has anyone else heard of this?

ainverso · January 2016

I got it for both babies at the hospital and have had great breastfeeding babies with no complications. Never heard of an issue from it, interesting. Not sure for you and your pediatrician but I saw ours within 5 days of discharged from hospital for a weigh in and checkup, so u might not have to wait long to get to talk to the doctor. Also keep in mind you get lots of shots for baby over the first year, so will wait if push any of thoSe off or make baby get too many shots at a visit down the road?

ashhsa · January 2016

I made sure my baby had it - she is a breast feeding champion, you do what you think is best for you though- as long as bub gets the vaccine in a months time I'm sure it will be all good.

hntr23 · January 2016

I waited with my firstborn and plan on doing the same. It is a painful shot and we didn't feel it was necessary right away.

GAgirlinSDakota · January 2016

Baby is getting all the standard things. Shots included.

huskerfan2012 · January 2016

I plan on waiting. More to please my husband than anything. I had planned on doing all the routine shots on time, however after talking to his sister, my husband believes we should delay it. And at this stage of pregnancy, I have zero energy to do much of anything, let alone try and change his mind.

maureenmce · January 2016

We're planning to delay everything an hour for bonding/breastfeeding time, but then baby will get all the standard things (eye antibiotics, shots, etc.)

Hipshaker · January 2016

hntr23 said:
I waited with my firstborn and plan on doing the same. It is a painful shot and we didn't feel it was necessary right away.

I think that's what my midwife was getting at. Just to wait until I see my pedi.

OrangeFox · January 2016

with DS1 we have gotten all vaccines, but on a slightly delayed schedule. We didn't have a hospital birth (birth center) the first time around and so there were no shots given at birth. we got the vitamin k orally in three doses. also, followed some of the Dr Sears vaccine schedule and some of our own for the rest of the vaccines. I think he's pretty much caught up with everything now at 2.5. He might be behind on one round of boosters but will get that at his next appointment (3 years). Heb B is one that is delayed but I can't remember exactly when we got it.

this time around we are having a homebirth and will do that same thing. except the vitamin k. My midwife said they don't have the oral kind anymore because the price changed and and it is too expensive to offer. No big deal, baby will get the shot at birth.

alisongem · January 2016

I'm waiting as well! I didn't feel like it was necessary with everything else going on.

Wicked4589 · January 2016

We had everything done at the hospital and zero issues breastfeeding. He didn't cry through any of his shots or blood draws at the hospital either.

clabgust · January 2016

We are delaying it. I did with my two year old also. I did a slow schedule of all his vaccines. Sometimes they want to give your child a five in one! That's crazy! And if you research some are so much safer after two years old.
we will do vitamin k and eye cream.

SummerOH · January 2016

Not delaying anything. My kids have never had any issues, nor have any of the other many, many babies in my circle of family and friends. Our pediatrician recommends it and he's a top researcher in his field at a major university. So I'll trust him over a midwife.

Ebiejay · January 2016

I'm planning on doing all recommended vaccines on schedule. I don't want to risk him catching anything he can't deal with before he has the protection.

Karenin · January 2016

I'm not delaying anything, but I think anything you are concerned about should be discussed with your pediatrician beforehand so you can bring up your concerns, hear what the pediatrician thinks, and then make an informed decision. I'm sure your midwife is wonderful, but pediatricians would be the real experts on these issues, so I'd find one you like and trust and talk to him or her.

amargaret24 · January 2016

We are delaying it also. Sounds a bit overwhelming to come out of the womb (via a very small tunnel lol), meet your makers, get eye ointment smeared all over your face, a prick in your heel, and a Vit K shot.

We went to a newborn class with an L&D Nurse who is also a Doula (very interesting, mixed perspective!) and she said only specific cultures need to worry about the Hep B shot immediately. If you don't fall under the realm of a culture where it's spread, the only other way to spread it is via intravenous drug use and/or sex. So, since we don't qualify culturally and clearly the latter won't apply. We don't find it totally necessary at the initial introduction to his life.

lattemom · January 2016

amargaret24 said:
We are delaying it also. Sounds a bit overwhelming to come out of the womb (via a very small tunnel lol), meet your makers, get eye ointment smeared all over your face, a prick in your heel, and a Vit K shot.

We went to a newborn class with an L&D Nurse who is also a Doula (very interesting, mixed perspective!) and she said only specific cultures need to worry about the Hep B shot immediately. If you don't fall under the realm of a culture where it's spread, the only other way to spread it is via intravenous drug use and/or sex. So, since we don't qualify culturally and clearly the latter won't apply. We don't find it totally necessary at the initial introduction to his life.

Wrong. Hep B can be transmitted through sweat, tears and most commonly fecal material.

amargaret24 · January 2016

lattemom said:

We are delaying it also. Sounds a bit overwhelming to come out of the womb (via a very small tunnel lol), meet your makers, get eye ointment smeared all over your face, a prick in your heel, and a Vit K shot.

We went to a newborn class with an L&D Nurse who is also a Doula (very interesting, mixed perspective!) and she said only specific cultures need to worry about the Hep B shot immediately. If you don't fall under the realm of a culture where it's spread, the only other way to spread it is via intravenous drug use and/or sex. So, since we don't qualify culturally and clearly the latter won't apply. We don't find it totally necessary at the initial introduction to his life.
Wrong. Hep B can be transmitted through sweat, tears and most commonly fecal material.

How is Hepatitis B spread?

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus during activities such as:

Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth)
Sex with an infected partner
Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment
Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments

What are ways Hepatitis B is not spread?

Hepatitis B virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.

Who is at risk for Hepatitis B?

Although anyone can get Hepatitis B, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:

Have sex with an infected person
Have multiple sex partners
Have a sexually transmitted disease
Are men who have sexual contact with other men
Inject drugs or share needles, syringes, or other drug equipment
Live with a person who has chronic Hepatitis B
Are infants born to infected mothers
Are exposed to blood on the job
Are hemodialysis patients
Travel to countries with moderate to high rates of Hepatitis B

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#bFAQ10

I just feel like the risks are not imminent - regardless what "other body fluids" the CDC is eluding to.

SummerOH · January 2016

A little info as to why holding off isn't a good idea:
https://shotofprevention.com/2010/05/06/why-infants-should-receive-the-hepatitis-b-vaccine-at-birth/

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/separating-fact-from-fiction-in-the-newborn-nursery-hepatitis-b-vaccine-for-newborns/

It's not about whether you have it or not. People can carry it and not realize they have it, and the virus can live up to 10 days on surfaces. It's such a small thing. Babies don't even notice it. Why risk exposure?

MissMheMhe · January 2016

We did not delay anything. He had a bit of amniotic fluid in his lungs still on the way out, so a needle prick was the least of our worries as the nurse was passing tubing down his throat to clear his lungs.

CBWifey · January 2016

OrangeFox said:
with DS1 we have gotten all vaccines, but on a slightly delayed schedule. We didn't have a hospital birth (birth center) the first time around and so there were no shots given at birth. we got the vitamin k orally in three doses. also, followed some of the Dr Sears vaccine schedule and some of our own for the rest of the vaccines. I think he's pretty much caught up with everything now at 2.5. He might be behind on one round of boosters but will get that at his next appointment (3 years). Heb B is one that is delayed but I can't remember exactly when we got it.

this time around we are having a homebirth and will do that same thing. except the vitamin k. My midwife said they don't have the oral kind anymore because the price changed and and it is too expensive to offer. No big deal, baby will get the shot at birth.

This. My ped had no problem with giving at 2 months.

claireloSC · January 2016

We are getting it at birth. We have some relatives with Hep B so I figure better safe than sorry.

PedsIsHardcore · January 2016

I will be waiting, but I'm also a pediatric nurse. I'm only waiting because I have an allergy to neomycin, which is in the Hep B vaccine. I am deathly allergic to it so I want to wait so I can help more if per say something does happen from her getting it.

Want a personalized experience?

Is anyone else holding off on the hep b vaccine?

Re: Is anyone else holding off on the hep b vaccine?

How is Hepatitis B spread?

What are ways Hepatitis B is not spread?

Who is at risk for Hepatitis B?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards