The hepatitis B vaccine protects your child against the hepatitis B virus, which can lead to liver damage and, in severe cases, death.
Hepatitis B is generally considered an adult disease because it's transmitted through the blood of infected individuals. This often happens through unsafe sex or IV drug use with a shared needle. Many people who become infected don't know it and don't show symptoms for many years.
Children can get exposed to hepatitis B at birth or from close contact with others who have become infected. Transmission can occur by sharing a razor, a toothbrush, or even a washcloth. That’s why many pediatricians recommend that your baby get the hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital shortly after birth.
The hepatitis B vaccine became available in 1981 and joined the recommended immunization schedule in the United States in 1991. It includes a series of three shots, one of which babies get at birth. They get the other two vaccinations at their two-month and six-month pediatric checkups.
You will typically get screened for hepatitis B during your pregnancy. If you test positive, your baby should get an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin as well as the hepatitis B vaccine to provide short-term protection within 12 hours of birth.
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-09-05.
