Vaccinations help build and improve a child’s immunity. While the baby does inherit the mother’s immunity from her vaccinations and exposures to a certain extent, they need their own vaccinations. Only this can protect them from several deadly diseases. Hepatitis B is one such disease and therefore a baby must get its Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination within 24 hours after birth.
Just like the way a mother can pass down her characteristics, looks, and even immunity to her baby, she can pass on Hepatitis B too. Yes, if the mother has Hepatitis B during pregnancy, there is a high chance that she may pass it on to the baby. This is why it is a protocol to give the first dosage soon after birth.
In This Article
- Viruses–Newborns Have the Risk of Infections
- What is Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination?
- Is Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination Safe?
- Dosage and Administering the Vaccination
- What If You Miss The Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination For Your Baby?
- Are There Any Side Effects of the Hepatitis B Vaccination?
- Can You Get Hepatitis B From the Vaccination?
- FAQ’s
Viruses – Newborns Have the Risk of Infections
A newborn baby has no immunity. The immune system is still not active or strong enough to protect the body from anything. The baby derives some immunity from the mother, especially as they pass through the birth canal. This immunity will stay for 2 or 3 months before it starts wearing off.
The baby’s immunity will start developing as their exposure increases. For this reason, doctors advise us to be extremely careful around a newborn. The risk of infection is quite high in a newborn baby.
Apart from infections from other people or from the environment in general, babies can get infections from the mother too. Therefore, they are given vaccinations right from birth. A vaccination schedule is provided based on many years of research, trial, and error, and feedback.
Vaccinations offer acquired immunity to babies and help the body fight the respective diseases.
What is Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination?
A baby can inherit Hepatitis B from the mother during birth. Hepatitis B is a severe liver infection and can occur due to bacteria known as HBV or the Hepatitis B virus.
A newborn gets the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine, in most cases, in the delivery room itself. This dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine is known as the birth dose vaccine. Your doctor will inform you about giving the Hepatitis B shot when they hand over the newborn to you in your room.
Most doctors and hospitals follow this protocol of immediately giving this vaccine and they do not need to ask the parents’ permission to give this injection. Even if the mother does not have the infection and has her vaccinations, the doctors will always give the baby the Hepatitis B injection right after birth. This is because the infant’s immunity is low at birth and can contract this serious disease from anyone handling them.
Is Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination Safe?
Yes, it is. It is in fact, one of the safest vaccinations there is for babies. There have been no reports of any serious side effects, to deem this vaccine unsafe. If the vaccine is given in the right doses and at the right site, it is completely safe, for both young and old.
Vaccines, just like any other medication, can have side effects. In the case of the Hepatitis B vaccine, they are very mild and subside on their own without your intervention.
[Read : BCG Vaccine for Babies]
Dosage and Administering the Vaccination
Hepatitis B vaccination consists of three doses. You will need to complete the three doses to complete the vaccination series and for complete protection from the disease. For those who miss their birth dose, or an adolescent or adult wants to get vaccinated, they have the accelerated two-dose series.
| When to Vaccinate | Dosage | Route | Injection Site |
| In Delivery Room – Right After Birth – Within 24 hours Max | 0.5 ml | Intramuscular | Anterolateral Thigh (Mid-Thigh) |
| 1 – 4 Months | 0.5 ml | Intramuscular | Anterolateral Thigh (Mid-Thigh) |
| 6 – 18 Months | 0.5 ml | Intramuscular | Anterolateral Thigh (Mid-Thigh) |
There are different vaccines by different companies for Hepatitis B, but the dosage and site of injection are all the same. When you get your baby’s birth dose, do find out what injection was given. Your pediatrician will want to know this, to give the next two doses.
If you miss giving your baby the second or third dose as per the schedule, do not panic. You can talk to your doctor and give the next dose as soon as possible. There is no need to start the dosages from the beginning.
You just need to ensure there is at least 4 weeks gap between the first dose and the second dose. Similarly, you need to give a minimum of 8 weeks between the 2nd dose and the final dose.
[Read : Polio Vaccines for Babies]
What If You Miss the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination For Your Baby?
For kids who missed the birth dosage, you can talk to your doctor or the nearest health care center and figure out a schedule. You will need only two doses but when and which brand are all up to your physician. For adolescents and adults, the injection will be given in the deltoid muscle (Upper arm). The Hepatitis B injection is never given in the buttocks.
Are There Any Side Effects of the Hepatitis B Vaccination?
Yes, side effects are possible, but they are very mild and nothing to worry about. The side effects are the same for most vaccinations.
Your baby might –
- Develop a mild fever
- Experience soreness or redness at the injection site. This will subside in a day, on its own.
There have been no reports of any severe side effects due to the Hepatitis B vaccination. If your baby has had adverse reactions to other vaccinations, the doctor might ask you to avoid it.
However, the first dosage of Hepatitis B is given right after birth. So, the first reaction, if any, will be seen here. If your baby was safe after this first dose, the chances of them developing a side effect for the next two doses are highly unlikely.
Can You Get Hepatitis B From the Vaccination?
It is natural to worry about contracting the infection from the vaccine itself, especially for newborns with zero immunity. Don’t worry, you cannot contract the disease from the vaccine as it does not have any live virus like most other vaccines. It is made synthetically and does not use any infected blood.
Hepatitis B can quickly become a deadly disease. It can be easily transferable through contaminated blood and body fluids. Giving your baby all three dosages of Hepatitis B vaccination is essential for their safety. Once vaccinated, your child is safe from the disease for life.
[Read : 10 Ways to Ease Your Baby’s Vaccination Pain]
FAQ’s
1. Can My Child Get Hepatitis B From the Father?
Yes, if the father has transferred the disease to the mother (it can be sexually transmitted), the mother can pass it to the baby during birth. The father can transfer it through close postnatal contact too.
2. Can Your Baby Get Hepatitis B From You Despite Your Vaccination?
Yes, if you have been vaccinated only as a child and not as a newborn, you might have gotten it during the birth itself. While the disease might go away for some, it can stay in the blood for many. If you belong to the latter, you could be carrying the virus. This can be passed down to your baby during birth.
3. Are All 3 Dosages of Hepatitis B Vaccination Compulsory?
Yes, if you want your baby to be safe from Hepatitis B, then all 3 vaccinations are essential. No one can force a person to get a vaccination. If you chose to not vaccinate your baby against Hepatitis B, it is a risk you are taking.
Read Also: Guide To Compulsory & Optional Vaccines For Babies
