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What is it
A vaccine that begins protection against hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease.
How your body works here
Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and body fluids. If a birthing person is HepB-positive (sometimes without knowing), transmission at birth leads to chronic infection in ~90% of exposed babies, dramatically raising their lifetime risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis. The birth-dose vaccine primes the newborn's immune system to make antibodies before the virus can establish itself, which is why the timing at birth — not just eventually — matters most for babies born to positive or unknown-status parents.
Benefits (B)
- Provides early protection, especially important if maternal status is unknown.Review sources ↓
- Begins the standard infant immunization series.Review sources ↓
Risks (R)
- Soreness at the injection site.Review sources ↓
- Low-grade fever rarely.Review sources ↓
Alternatives (A)
- Delay the first dose until the pediatrician's office if maternal hepatitis B status is negative and baby is otherwise healthy (discuss with your team).Review sources ↓
Evidence summary
Recommended at birth by the AAP and CDC. Required at birth in some clinical situations.
Sources
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Questions to ask your provider
- What's the recommendation given my status?
- If I'd like to delay, when would the first dose be given?
Intuition & Nothing/Wait (the I and N in BRAIN)
What is your gut telling you? What happens if you do nothing or wait?
Add to my birth plan
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After you talk it through
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