Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV)

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a type of infection of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus. It is transmitted by blood and body fluids. A mother who is a hepatitis B carrier has a great chance of transmitting the virus to her baby at or around the time of delivery.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis include extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and yellow discolouration of the skin and whites of the eyes. Majority of
acute infections resolve completely. However, some people may become chronic carriers, who may eventually develop chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Around 8% of Hong Kong population are chronic hepatitis B carriers.

Hepatitis B Vaccine ( HBV )

Who should get vaccinated?

Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) can effectively protect against hepatitis B and its complications like liver cancer. All babies and children should receive HBV.

When should my child get vaccinated?

(A) Full Term Babies

To achieve the best and lasting protection, children must complete all three doses of HBV. HBV can be given together with other types of vaccines.

(B) Preterm Babies

All preterm babies born to carrier mothers should receive HBV together with hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth. However, this dose is not counted in the 3-dose course of vaccination. The first valid dose should be given when the baby’s body weight reaches 2 kg or the baby is at one month of age.

All preterm babies born to non-carrier mothers with birth weight 2 kg or more should receive the first dose of HBV at birth. However, preterm babies with birth weight less than 2 kg should receive the first dose of HBV when the baby’s body weight achieves 2 kg or the baby is at one month of age. Alternatively, if these babies are medically stable and show consistent weight gain when discharged from the hospital before chieving 2 kg of weight or one month of age, the first dose of HBV may be given earlier at hospital discharge.

(C) Other Situation

Children who have not yet received a full course of hepatitis B vaccination or with unknown vaccination history should receive hepatitis B vaccination to protect their health.

Who should NOT get HBV?

• Children with serious allergic reaction to yeast (for baking bread)
  
• Children with serious allergic reaction to previous dose of HBV

What are the Risks?

• As with any medicine, HBV carries a small risk of adverse reaction.
  
• HBV is a mild vaccine and normally does not cause serious adverse reactions. Occasionally there may be slight soreness around the injection site, but these will gradually subside in 1-2 days.