Hepatitis B Vaccination for infants

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 24, 2006

My son is only 6 days old and his pediatrician said that when I come to the baby's 1st dr appt at age 2 weeks, he will be getting his Hep B Vaccination. I asked if there is an epidemic going on and is this why we are going to get teh vaccine and the dr said no. I then asked why it would be necessary for a infant healthy to have this if it is only spread via sexual contact and bodily fluids....here is what he told me: "In case you are ever in a car accident and the baby needs a blood transfusion!" What kind of reason is this??? I understand the importance of vaccinations, I just cannot wrap my mind around why a newborn child would need this. Realistically, if we were in a car accident...would an infant even survive long enough to accept a transfusion?
I realize that when he gets older he will engage in sex and will probably need it before he becomes a teenager at least, but why in infancy? Could someone share their thoughts with me on this? When I told the dr that I will probably be refusing that vaccination he looked disapprovingly at me and wrote something in the baby's chart. Any thoughts/advice would be highly appreciated!! Thank you all. This is my 1st child and I want to make the right decision. -Tweetiepie

They do not transfuse tainted blood. They check it first...for every little thing too. So th transfusion does not sound like a good excuse to me. You are alowed to refuse and immunizations you want. However, I do think that hep B is required before they stare school. But until then, unless you think your baby is going to have a sexual relationship before kindergarden I think he/she will be fine...........

yogastudentRN · Mar 25, 2006

I'm just wondering - if antibodies are transferred through breastmilk, what's the rationale for vaxxing babies under 6 months (if nursing)? Does anyone know when the antibody levels in breastmilk start to fall?

After the first few days, there is practically no antibody transfer through milk. And the first few days it isn't actually in the milk but rather the colostrum which contains antibodies. Mothers with autoimmune thyroid disease can breastfeed with no worry at all about the baby's thyroid. Although small amounts of IgA class can make it through, it is destroyed in the digestion process since it is a protein. More than one pediatric endo has assured me of this. As a mom with autoimmune thyroid disease who wanted to breastfeed, you can bet your life that I made absolutely certain that those thyroid antibodies would not be transferred to the baby.

Breastfed babies get sick less often NOT due to antibody transfer but rather due to better nutrition....just like big people who opt for packing a lunch with fresh fruits and veggies are less likely to get sick than fast food eaters.

Also, babies are more likely to respond to a vaccine the older they are....and since Hep B has a record of failing (which is why now a titer proving immunity is required for most healthcare workers) I don't see why your doctor should have a problem with waiting until your baby is 6 months or so to begin the Hep B series. But do keep in mind that the swapping of bodily fluids is pretty common for toddlers in daycare....not sexual, but rather a function of poor handwashing, fascination with bodily functions, and a need to touch/hug/kiss/share...all expected for that developmental level :uhoh3:

NessaNurse · Mar 26, 2006

I often wondered the same thing. Personally if I ever had a baby, I would like to wait until they are a toddler to immunize them against hep B. seems sort of an unneccsary risk for a newbie IMHO. Most people do not feel the way I do, but the immune system is till developing, so the least amount of unnessesary risks the better.

bioniclewoman · Mar 27, 2006

But all states have exemptions.
Netty

I looked into the exemption thing when my son was a baby because I didn't want to get him Hep B either. I found out that in my state you can get an exemption for religous reasons but that is only if you don't want to get your kids any immunizations. In other words you can't pick and chose, it's none or all.

I just found out that they are now making all kids get Hep A shots before kindergarten as well. My son is already in the 1st grade so he doesn't have to get it until junior high but my friend had to get her son the Hep A because he is starting K in the fall.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Apr 20, 2006

Lady Jez's answer is awesome!!
There is a public health thing called "herd immunity": the more members of the "herd" [that's us] that are immune against a disease, the lower the incidence of the disease in the UNimmunized members of the herd. Which makes for less disease altogether. A very good thing in the case of Hep B.
Please get your baby immunized!

:yeahthat: :yeah:

MIA-RN1, RN · Apr 21, 2006

I asked this in another thread but didn't hear back....I didn't realize hep B immunity wanes after a certain amount of time! Is there any research etc aobut this? My daughter is 11 1/2 and was vaccinated at her early pediatric visits...I wonder now if she is still immune as she approaches the age where its important. And I just had my titer checked for my new job...I had hep B #3 six years ago...and I came back 'indeterminate' and had to get a booster just today.

prmenrs, RN · Apr 21, 2006

I have gotten a couple of booster shots since my initial series~18 years ago. I'd suggest calling your pediatrician about the need for boosters. I think when my son was 10-12, he got boosters for MMR, ?tetorifice.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Apr 21, 2006

Many adults are not immunized against Hep B. Can't transfer immunity if you don't have it. Also, if Mom is [unknowingly] + for Hep B antigen, she may actually infect baby. If s/he's been immunized, there is at least some protection. (Most moms are tested for Hep B in prenatals, but if they haven't had prenatal care.....)

If mom is positive for Hep B, no prenatal care, or no prenatal on file, we give both Hep B vaccine and HBIG to the baby within 12 hours of birth.

Sometimes we find that moms come to us to deliver because they don't want to deliver where they are known, because of a history of drug use. As it's hard to get mom's Hep B status, the babies get the shots. We can but hope that they get the follow-up vaccinations.

debblynn13 · Apr 21, 2006

One risk factor babies have is the fact that EVERYTHING goes in their mouth. They are not very discriminating in what they will play with. According to the CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm

How long can HBV survive outside the body?

HBV can survive outside the body at least 7 days and still be capable of causing infection.

Just another thought to put into the mix when deciding whether or not to have your infant immunized for Hep B.

debblynn13

Josh L.Ac. · Apr 25, 2006

After my son was born, the midwife started to ask if we wanted the HBV vaccination. Then she stopped herself and laughed.

He is a few days shy of being a year old. He has had two DTaP shots [at 2 and 11 months] and that is it. If we decide to take him to Vietnam (to see his other great grandparents), we will vaccinate him against HBV. If not, he'll probably be fine until he is older.

I don't find fear to be a great motivator when it comes to religion or medicine.

Parents will vaccinate their children against everything under the sun because of the fear that they might get sick yet fail to teach them healthy living habits such as proper nutrition and exercise. We are sure that the lack of the latter will cause disease but not the former, but most do the former (because it is easier) and neglect the latter.

Edit: yes I do realize that last statement is a strawman, but sometimes it is necessary.