Baby Vaccination 101: Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine is another vaccine that you will find on your newborn's immunisation requirement. Here's what you need to know about this vaccine and why your baby needs it. The Hepatitis B Vaccine According to the Ministry of Health Malaysia, hepatitis B vaccine is one of the mandatory vaccines for all Malaysians. It is administered to babies within 24 hours after birth to prevent viral hepatitis, which is a dangerous infection that can damage the liver (cirrhosis). The vaccine is often also called the anti-cancer vaccine because it prevents liver cancer, which is known to happen in 25% of chronic hepatitis infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the HBV vaccine is given to newborn babies within the baby's first year of life. 3 shots are required overall. The first dose is given within 24 hours of birth. The second dose is given one to two months after the first dose, and the third dose is given between 6 months and 18 months of age. If a pregnant woman tests positive for HBV, the baby will usually be vaccinated within 12 hours after birth instead of the usual 24 hours which is the case for HBV-negative mothers. This allows the baby to develop sufficient immunity to reduce their chances of getting infected. The vaccine administered is usually hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine typically confers lifelong immunity. What is Hepatitis B According to Healthline, hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of liver cancer in Malaysia. It is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is easily transmissible through body fluids like blood and semen and causes. Which is why babies are the most at-risk group. It is one of the many diseases that can be passed from pregnant mother to unborn child during natural delivery or C-section. Healthline informs that symptoms appear between 25 to 180 days and manifest as: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Dark urine Clay-coloured bowel movements Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B have more than 90% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B if they are not properly treated at birth. That's why it's important for pregnant mothers to get tested as soon as they can. So that doctors can take precautionary measures during childbirth to reduce the chances of transmission. Individual infected from birth have a higher chance of developing liver cancer. There is currently no cure for Hepatitis B even if you're asymptomatic. You can lead a healthy, normal life with Hepatitis B (with the right treatment) but the virus will still be in your blood. Therefore, you are still infectious and can easily pass on the virus to other people. In Malaysia, about 1 million people are thought to be chronically infected with hepatitis B virus. Early Prevention is Key Hepatitis B is a serious disease that is easily preventable with vaccines. Even babies born to HBV positive mums have a high chance of avoiding infection if all the precautions are taken. Even though you can lead a full live with it, you will still have to always be careful with your loved ones. So, do allow your kids to be vaccinated. It will protect them years down the line. Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 12). Hepatitis B - faqs, Statistics, data, & guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/index.htm Kahn, A. (2022, June 29). Hepatitis B: Risk factors, symptoms & diagnosis. Healthline. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-b National Strategic Plan For Hepatitis B And C 2019 - 2023. Portal Rasmi Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Pelan%20Strategik%20/NSP_Hep_BC_2019_2023.pdf Malaysian family physicians - review articles: Hepatitis B infection. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.e-mfp.org/old/v1n1/hepatitis_B_infection-printcopy.htm Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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