Why Does Your Baby Need the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Bringing a new baby into the world is exciting, joyful—and a little overwhelming at the same time. As pediatricians, one of our jobs is to help you sort through all the choices for keeping you’re your child healthy. One of the very first steps we recommend is the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine, given soon after birth. Here is why your baby needs this important vaccine:
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that can quietly damage the liver. Some people get sick quickly with fever, nausea, fatigue, or yellowing of the skin and eyes. But most people who get hepatitis B don’t show symptoms at first. They can carry hepatitis B without knowing it and can spread it even if they don’t look or feel sick.
The virus can be shared through body fluids, including blood, sweat, tears, saliva, and urine. It can stay in the body for life, leading to serious problems like liver damage or cancer years down the road.
Why should my baby get the Hep B vaccine right after birth?
You may wonder why we recommend starting protection so early. The truth is:
- 9 out of 10 babies who get hepatitis B will develop lifelong infection. Infants who become infected are far more likely than adults to develop chronic, lifelong infection, which can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
- A baby can be exposed to hepatitis B at birth or in the first days of life from perinatal (mother-to-child) transmission or from a family member who doesn’t know they’re infected. If this isn’t prevented, up to 90percent of infants infected at birth develop chronic hepatitis B infection.
- Giving the HepB vaccine soon after birth helps a baby’s immune system prepare to recognize and resist the virus from day one.
- Children can be exposed through close contact with infected caregivers or household members. Young children are more susceptible than adults because they get lots of minor cuts, bites, or share contaminated objects like toys, which can spread the hepatitis B virus.
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of the first dose of HepB at birth, followed by completing the full series in infancy, as the standard of care to prevent lifelong hepatitis B complications.
How does the vaccine protect my child?
Think of vaccines as training tools – they coach your baby’s immune system so if the virus ever shows up, their body is ready to handle it. The HepB vaccine is given in doses starting right after birth and finishing in the first year of life. This series helps your child’s immune system build strong, lasting recognition of the virus. In fact, After completing the full 3 to 4-dose regimen, 98 percent of healthy infants achieve full immunity to the virus.
We want parents to feel confident in the choices they make for their children. Starting hepatitis B vaccination at birth is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective steps we can take together to set your baby on a healthy path – right from the beginning.
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
About the Author
Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.