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Hepatitis B: Why Get Immunized?

When a child is born, she usually has immunity to certain diseases. This is a result of the disease-fighting antibodies that have passed through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. After birth, the breastfed baby gets the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the immunity is only temporary.

Immunization (vaccination) is an artificial way of creating immunity to certain diseases - by using relatively harmless substances called antigens that come from or are similar to the components of microorganisms that cause the diseases.

Microorganisms can be viruses, such as measles virus, or they can be bacteria, such as pneumococcus. Vaccines stimulate the immune system into reacting as if there were a real infection. The immune system then fights off the "infection" and remembers the organism so it can fight it off quickly if it enters the body at some future time.

Some parents may hesitate to give their children a vaccine because they are concerned about complications or their children developing the illness the vaccine is supposed to prevent. Although it's true that some vaccines could have these effects, the likelihood of that happening is very small. Not immunizing your child exposes her to greater health risks associated with contracting the disease the vaccine is intended to prevent.

Immunization is one of the best means of protecting your child against contagious diseases. The following vaccinations and schedule are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please note that some variations are acceptable and that changes in recommendations frequently occur as new vaccines are developed; your child's doctor will determine the best vaccinations and schedule for your child

Hep B

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that infects the liver. Those who are infected can become lifelong carriers of the virus and may develop long-term problems such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or cancer of the liver.

Immunization Schedule
Hepatitis B vaccine usually is given as a series of three injections. The first shot is given to infants shortly after birth. If the mother of a newborn carries the hepatitis B virus in her blood, the infant needs to receive the first shot within 12 hours after birth. If a newborn's mother shows no evidence of HBV in her blood, the infant may receive the shot any time prior to leaving the hospital. It also may be deferred until the 4- or 8-week visit to the child's doctor.

If the first shot is given shortly after birth, the second shot is given at 1 to 2 months and the third at 6 months. For infants who do not receive the first shot until 4 to 8 weeks, the second shot is given at 3 to 4 months and the third at 6 to 18 months. In either case, the second and third shots usually are given in conjunction with other routine childhood immunizations.

Why Receive the Vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine probably creates lifelong immunity. Infants who receive the HBV series should be protected from hepatitis B infection not only throughout their childhood but also into the adult years. Eliminating the risk of HBV infections also decreases risk for cirrhosis of the liver, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer. Young adults and adolescents should also receive the vaccine if they did not as infants.

Possible Risks
Serious problems associated with receiving the HBV vaccine are rare. Problems that do occur tend to be minor, such as fever or redness or tenderness at the injection site.

When to Delay or Avoid the Immunization

• if your child is currently sick, although simple colds or other minor illnesses should not prevent immunization
• if severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurs after an injection of the HBV vaccine

How to Care for Your Child After the Immunization
The vaccine may cause mild soreness and redness at the place the shot was given; this may be treated with pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor

• if you are not sure of the recommended schedule for the hepatitis B vaccine
• if you have concerns about your own HBV carrier state
• if moderate or serious adverse effects appear after an HBV injection has been given to your child

SOURCE:  http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/vaccine_p10.html

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