Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all children in the 0-18 age group. In our country, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth in the hospital. The next 2 doses are administered at the 1st and 6th months.
What is the reason for early administration of this vaccine in babies?
Hepatitis B (Jaundice) is a viral disease. It is highly contagious. It can easily be transmitted to babies. 90% of babies infected with hepatitis B virus may develop chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer. Vaccination of babies with hepatitis B vaccine at birth against the fatal disease has been accepted all over the world.
What is the vaccination schedule for babies?
In our country, hepatitis B vaccine is administered at 0, 1 and 6 months. In some countries, the period of administering the vaccine to babies has been extended to 18 months.
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First dose at birth
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Second dose 1-2 months
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The third dose can be administered at 6-18 months.
What should be the approach in unvaccinated children and young adolescents?
In children and young adolescents, vaccination is administered in 3 doses, as in infants.
In countries where hepatitis B infection is rare, there is no need for a hepatitis B blood test before vaccination. In areas where the disease is high, a blood test should be performed before vaccination and children who test negative should be vaccinated. Since hepatitis B infection is moderately common in our country, unvaccinated children and young people should first be examined and negative individuals should be included in the vaccination program.
Is it necessary to perform a blood test on every child after hepatitis B vaccination is completed?
Routine blood test is not recommended for all children and young adults.
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Children of HBV positive mothers
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Those living with HBV positive family members
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Post-vaccination blood test is recommended in patients with compromised immune systems.
In cases where blood test needs to be done, when should this test be done?
A blood test is recommended 1 or 2 months after the last dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
The expected protective level (anti-HBs>10mlU /ml) is the antibody level being 10 or above. If the protective antibody level is low, then 3 more doses of hepatitis B vaccine are given. 1-2 months after the third dose a blood test is repeated. If the individual is HBsAg positive, the necessary approach is taken. If HBsAg is negative, the patient is informed about preventive measures against hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis B immunoglobulin is recommended in case of risk.
For children of HVB-positive mothers, it is important to monitor whether the vaccine is protective or not. Since hepatitis B immunoglobulin is administered to these babies together with the hepatitis B vaccine, the protective antibody level can only be evaluated after 9 months.
What should be the approach if the hepatitis B vaccine is interrupted for any reason?
If If there is a break after the first dose of vaccination, the second dose should be given as soon as possible. There should be at least eight weeks between the second dose and the third dose.
Is there any harm in extra doses of hepatitis B vaccine for individuals with unknown previous vaccination history?
There is no harmful effect of hepatitis B vaccine when extra doses are administered.
Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines.
Is a booster dose required for Hepatitis B vaccine?
Immune system There is no need for a booster dose in normal individuals.
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Hemodialysis patients
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In patients with impaired immune system, booster if the antibody level is <10mI U / ml. dose is required.
How long does the hepatitis B vaccine last?
Studies have shown that the protection period in children vaccinated in infancy is at least 20 years. The protection of this vaccine, which provides long-term protection, in older ages is unknown.
What should be the vaccination schedule for individuals who will travel to regions where hepatitis B infection is high?
It is ideal to have a 3-dose vaccine before travel. is the approach. However, it should not be forgotten that optimal protection can be achieved after the administration of 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine.
An accelerated vaccination program is applied to individuals who have not been vaccinated before travel.
First dose of hepatitis B vaccine;
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0 days
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Applied for 7 days and
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21-30 days.
In this case, a booster dose should be given in 12 months to ensure long-term immunity.
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