Hepatitis B 

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. It can cause flu like symptoms, jaundice, and even serious liver disease later in life. 

The selective neonatal hepatitis B vaccine helps protect babies at high risk of exposure to the virus.

Hepatitis B infection can be passed from an infected mother to her baby. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B are at high risk of developing hepatitis B themselves. If your baby is fully immunised, they have a 90% chance of being protected from hepatitis B for life.

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Your baby’s care. What Vaccinations will Vaccination UK give to my baby?

Hepatitis B infection can be prevented if you make sure your baby has their vaccinations on time.

The vaccinations will greatly reduce the chance of your baby becoming infected.

Babies born to mothers living with hepatitis B infection need extra protection. The extra vaccinations are given straight after the birth of your baby and when they are 4 weeks of age.

If you had high levels of virus during your pregnancy your baby will also need another extra injection called hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) just after they are born.

When your baby is 8 weeks old they will start the routine childhood vaccinations all children are offered. These have the hepatitis B vaccine included.

Remember: Between one year and 18 months of age, a blood test is needed to see if your baby has or has not got hepatitis B infection.

 

Your baby will need a total of 6 vaccinations to protect them from hepatitis B. It is very important that your baby gets all of them

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HOSPITAL Vaccination 1 – single hepatitis B - 1 day
Before the baby is one day old in hospital. Some babies need a second injection of immunoglobulin (HBIG) for extra protection as well.

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Vaccination UK - Vaccination 2 – single hepatitis B - 4 weeks
At 4 weeks – make sure you have registered the baby with a GP.

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GP - Vaccination 3 - 8 weeks
At 8 weeks with the routine childhood vaccination which includes hepatitis B.

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GP Vaccination 4 - 12 weeks
At 12 weeks with the routine childhood vaccination which includes hepatitis B.

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GP Vaccination 5 - 16 weeks
At 16 weeks with the routine childhood vaccination which includes hepatitis B.

 

Vaccination UK - Blood Spot Test  - 12 months           

Your baby will receive a home visit by a Vaccination UK Nurse to carry out a heel prick blood test                              

 

Vaccination UK - Vaccination 6 - 18 months
At 18 months of age with the routine childhood vaccination which includes hepatitis B.

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Your baby will also need to have a blood test taken at their routine vaccination visits between one year and 18 months of age to see if they have hepatitis B infection. This is very important.

 

Please contact the Vaccination UK team to speak to a member of the team:

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020 334 323 99

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More information about the vaccination can be found on the government website:

Hepatitis B: a guide to your care in pregnancy and after your baby is born - GOV.UK​​​​

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