Hep B shot at birth. Why?

[LionsandBears]

I'm interested to know why babies are given the Hep B vaccination at birth. Can anyone please explain? I got mine as an adult and that was only because I was working with drug users at the time. I think it also came up with getting vaccinated before travel. I don't understand why there is a need to give this shot to a newborn. Also, I remember I needed 3 shots over about 18 months. I assume this is the same for babies?

btw - is the vaccine "live"?

note: I have no problem with vaccines per se, just don't understand this particular one.

TIA

[BellyBelly]

LOL I could just say your subject line. Why?!?!?!

More and more couples are choosing to at least delay this vacc at birth. Your baby is not at risk of sex with others, sharing needles... its ridiculous. But thats just my opinion. Not to mention side effects of vaccines at birth when the baby is trying to establish breastfeeding and find its feet...

[skybie]

lol great question, i dnt know why they do it, dont know about urs but my newborn wasnt having sex or sharing needles with anyone, so she didnt get it

[alioops]

The birth one is not compusory and doesnt affect the maternity immunisation allowance. When the schedule was updated they just neglected to take that one off the list.

[Traveller]

It was explained to me with my firstborn that those people whose babies are exposed to drug abuse in their home, and therefore their babies are higher risk, are not likely to take their babies into the GP for hep B vaccinations so getting them done at birth at least ensures they have one dose. The fact that one dose alone is ineffective seems a slight flaw in this argument.

Another explanation I was given with my second child is the eradication of this disease can only happen by vaccinating the young and letting the disease die with the older people currently affected. However the limited lifespan of the vaccination is another flaw in this argument.

Personally I think vaccinating at risk adults is the way to go, thereby protecting them during the period they are at risk. But maybe I am missing something

[AndiE]

Not entirely sure of the "why" to vaccinate at birth, although the paed told us with DS1 that the course of HepB shots in his first year would "protect" him if he went to daycare and was bitten by a kid that had it.

With both our boys we chose to have their first HepB vaccinations given on the day of discharge from hospital.

[HotI]

It was explained to me with my firstborn that those people whose babies are exposed to drug abuse in their home, and therefore their babies are higher risk, are not likely to take their babies into the GP for hep B vaccinations so getting them done at birth at least ensures they have one dose. The fact that one dose alone is ineffective seems a slight flaw in this argument.

It is also one way of getting the child registered for future vaccinations. Some Mums will have their bub in hospital, but won't always follow up with maternal child health service or a GP (where they will be identified as needing vaccinations), and so by 'offering' it in hospital, the child is now on the system, and there is greater possibility of following them up.

I thought the official 'reason' why it is offered is that mothers may not know they are infected and can pass the infection on to their bub?

I am electing to opt out of this vaccination for my bub.

[*Infinity*]

We denied the Hep B injection at birth as our baby wasn't going to be in an environment that was risky for contracting it. Our midwife said it was really very unnecessary if we were spending the first few weeks at home (which we were). She did give the example of overseas travel with a newborn to countries where risk may be higher as a reason to consider it. HTH

[*TripleJ*]

we had it done but didnt know better for the next one i will be delaying it till after at least one day hopefully when we are discharged or when they have the heel pr!ck test

[dee73]

Hi was just browsing and suddenly realised this was you!!

Neither Dylan or Jonah were done at birth. In fact both times we were told by the midwives and even our OB that it wasn't necessary unless you lived in a very high risk (ie very low socioeconomic and unsanitary) environment. Our OB and paed both said they thought it was silly having it in Australia.

[LionsandBears]

Hey D yeah I think it's silly too. btw - cool avvy. I should organise one

Thanks ladies for all your comments. Sounds like it's just one of those nanny state things. I'll be skipping that one at least til the teenage years. I could understand a shot for Hep A, given what kids put in their mouths, but most kids seem to be fine
Now I have to research the Vit K shot - don't understand that either, but looks like there's a more logical reason for it