Hepatitis B Vaccination – Protection with and without Birth Dose?

Excerpt

World Health organization recognizes hepatitis B related mortality and morbidity as a public health problem. Hepatitis B was recommended to be in the National Immunization Schedule as early as 1992. This was the 7th vaccine recommended by WHO after the initial six Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines. It has been introduced from early 1980s to 2000 in many countries. Position paper of WHO recommends hepatitis B vaccination for children worldwide with at least 3 doses in the in National immunization schedules, including a monovalent hepatitis B at birth [1]. By 2015, 185(95%) countries have incorporated hepatitis B vaccination in the National Immunization Schedule and 97(49%) introduced the recommended birth dose [2]. Earlier the disease affects a person, more the risk of chronic infection and later on developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Mother to infant transmission can be prevented by the birth dose. In India about 20–30% carriers are due to perinatal transmission. …