WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is the hepatitis B vaccine? The vaccine is an injection that helps protect your child from the virus that causes hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection. The virus is usually spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Your child can also get it by touching an object that has the virus on it. The virus can live on an object for up to 7 days. Your baby can be infected at birth if his mother has hepatitis B. Should my child's get the hepatitis B vaccine? Any child up to 18 years of age who did not get the vaccine or all of the needed doses should get the vaccine. - Your adolescent should get the vaccine if:
- He gets a stick from an infected needle, including for illegal drugs and for procedures such as tattooing
- He has unprotected sex with an infected person, sex with more than one partner, or is a male who has sex with males
- Your child or adolescent should get the vaccine if:
- An object with infected blood or body fluids on it touches a wound
- He has close contact with an infected person
- He travels to an area in the world where HBV is common
- He lives or works in a long-term care facility or correctional facility
When should my child get the hepatitis B vaccine? - Babies are routinely given a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine before leaving the hospital after birth. If your baby's mother has hepatitis B, your baby will get the vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
- A second dose is given at 1 to 2 months.
- A third dose is given at 6 to 18 months.
What should I do if my child misses a dose of the vaccine? Contact your child's healthcare provider to schedule a catch-up dose. A catch-up dose is often given at 4 months. Your child can also get the vaccine at 19 months or older to complete the series. Who should not get the hepatitis B vaccine or should wait to get it? If your child is sick, wait until his symptoms go away before he gets the vaccine. Your child should not get the vaccine if he has a severe allergy to yeast or to any part of the hepatitis B vaccine. He should not get a second dose of the vaccine if he had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose. What are the risks of the hepatitis B vaccine? The area where your child got the shot may be sore. He may have a low fever. He may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. This can be life-threatening. Call 911 for any of the following: - Your child has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, hives, or wheezing.
When should I seek immediate care? - Your child has a high fever or behavior changes that concern you.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You have questions or concerns about the hepatitis B vaccine.
|