| Vaccinations are a miracle of modern science. Thanks | | | | vaccination of HepB. For infants that mothers have |
| to these injections, diseases that used to be deadly in | | | | tested positive or the test results were inconclusive, |
| the past have almost completely disappeared today. | | | | the vaccination is given within twelve hours of the |
| Upon the birth of a new baby, most hospitals give the | | | | child's birth. In the case of the mother testing negative |
| new parents a booklet that contains a vaccination | | | | for Hepatitis B, the doctor may delay giving the shot |
| schedule that the doctor can initial as each shot is | | | | for several days if there is a more pressing medical |
| given. Looking at the list of the various vaccinations, | | | | problem that needs to be addressed. Because this |
| many new parents do not understand what the | | | | disease is highly contagious, the HepB vaccine is |
| vaccinations are for. To understand the necessity for | | | | mandatory, even though the mother tests negative |
| a vaccination, you must first understand the disease | | | | and is definitely not infected. |
| that it fends off. | | | | After the initial dose of HepB, several more doses will |
| The first vaccination that your new baby should | | | | be needed to protect your baby to the fullest. The |
| receive is labeled HepB. This abbreviation stands for | | | | second dose should be given at the age of one to |
| Hepatitis B, a serious virus that attacks the liver. This | | | | two months. There is a monovalent HepB vaccine and |
| disease can result in lifelong liver infections, cirrhosis | | | | a combination vaccine that contains HepB. Depending |
| (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and death. The virus | | | | on which type your baby has received will affect his |
| is passed when the blood of an infected person | | | | vaccination schedule. If he was given the monovalent |
| enters the blood of a person who is not infected. The | | | | HepB during his two month vaccination, your baby will |
| disease can be transmitted from an infected mother | | | | not need a repeat dose at four months of age. If the |
| to her infant during childbirth. It is also commonly found | | | | combination vaccine was used, your baby will need |
| in the infants of immigrants who came from areas that | | | | another vaccine at four months. The final dose of |
| have high rates of Hepatitis B. | | | | HepB can be given anytime after twenty-four weeks |
| Most obstetricians recommend that expectant | | | | (approximately 6 months in age). Infants born to |
| mothers should have a Hepatitis B test to determine if | | | | infected mothers should be tested after their third |
| they have the disease, as many infected people are | | | | dose of the vaccine to determine if any further |
| not aware that they have the virus. The result of this | | | | treatment is needed. |
| test can determine when your baby will need his first | | | | |