Hepatitis B is a dangerous infectious disease caused by HBV. Viet Nam has been in a high hepatitis endemic area with the prevalent of HBsAg ranging from 10% to 20%. Some researches showed that in Viet Nam, HBsAg prevalence in pregnant women has been higher than 10%. If mother is infected, from 10% to 90% of new-born child may be transmitted. About 90% of infant infected by vertical transmission may develop chronic HBV infection and 25% of them may develop liver cancer and cirrhosis. Vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth is the most dangerous transmission route.
Up to now, hepatitis B has not had specific treatment yet. So, Hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth is the best preventive method that helps to protect from 80 to 95% of infection at birth. The tardier new-born child gets vaccination, the less efficient the prevention will be. Therefore, it is crucial for new-born child to get vaccination within 24 hours of birth.
To prevent Hepatitis B, children should be fully immunized in following schedule:
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Age
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Schedule of Hepatitis B vaccination in EPI
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New-born
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Within 24 hours of birth
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2 months
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DPT-HeB-Hib1 and OPV1
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3 months
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DPT-HeB-Hib2 and OPV2
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4 months
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DPT-HeB-Hib3 and OPV3
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Hepatitis B vaccine has been proved the safety and been used in many countries. Hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth is a recommendation for strategically addressing Hepatitis B by World Health Organization. In Viet Nam, Hepatitis B vaccination has been included in EPI since 1997.
After vaccination, some mild side effects may occur such as pain at injection site and fever. Severe side effects are rarely happened, and the side effects of vaccination will be recovered soon if they are recognized on time and treated appropriately. To ensure vaccination safety, vaccine should be given only if the baby is able to suck well and the medical examination should be also performed before immunization.
Hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth and
full dose afterward is the best prevention.
Immunization – The happiness of children
The National Expanded Program on Immunization
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology