When Do You Need to Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine?

Of the many vaccines children get in order to be protected, one is known as Hepatitis B. Doctors recommend that all children who fall into a high risk category get the vaccine.

How is Hepatitis B contracted?

According to the World Health Organization, there are four way by which Hepatitis B can be contracted:

1) direct blood-to-blood contact

2) unprotected sex

3) the use of unsterile needles

4) from an infected woman to her newborn during the delivery process.

Should I vaccinate my child?

This is a decision that is up to the parents. If the child is living, or will be living in close household contact with an infected person or a high-risk individual (a promiscuous individual or medical professional, for example), the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended. The vaccine is also recommended for individuals who are planning foreign travel to countries where hepatitis B is common, in particular to Asia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Usually Hepatitis B vaccines can be given in conjunction with other vaccines that a baby or young child is receiving as part of their routine immunization program.

Why should my child get the Hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B affects the liver. It can possibly lead to serious health problems in later years. The Hepatitis B vaccine protects your child from a potentially serious disease.

If you are a carrier for Hepatitis B, you may not exhibit any symptoms, so you will unknowingly infect other people around you. When you are vaccinated for Hepatitis B, you are protected from ever contracting the virus.

A Hepatitis B series of injections will create a lifelong immunity. It is of the utmost importance to eliminate such diseases as Hepatitis B, because it causes cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. If you have an older child or teen who has not been vaccinated yet, be sure to give us a call at our Phoenix, AZ offices.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule.

Your Phoenix AZ pediatrician recommends that children receive 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine for full protection. The hepatitis b vaccine schedule has three rounds, and can be started within the first few months after birth. Your pediatrician’s office will keep a record of all of your child’s immunizations and will inform you when the next round of vaccines comes due.