Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus. It causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

The hepatitis B pediatric vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in children and teenagers.

The vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to hepatitis B, but will not treat an active infection that your child already has.

Vaccination with the hepatitis B pediatric vaccine is recommended for all children starting at birth, especially for children and adolescents who are at risk of getting hepatitis B. Risk factors include: living with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus; being born to a mother who is infected with hepatitis B; being on dialysis; living in a facility for developmentally disabled people; traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common; being an adolescent who has never received a hepatitis B pediatric vaccine during childhood.

Like any vaccine, the hepatitis B pediatric vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

The vaccine is injected into a muscle. Your child will get this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic.

The hepatitis B pediatric vaccine is given in a series of shots starting shortly after birth. The booster shots are often given 1 to 2 months and 6 to 18 months after the first shot. If your child does not get a birth dose, the vaccine series should start as soon as possible.

Your child's specific booster schedule may vary from these guidelines. Follow the doctor's instructions or the schedule suggested by your local health department.

Tell your child's doctor if they take other medicines, have other medical conditions, or have allergies.

Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine will not protect against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect against hepatitis B if your child is already infected with the virus, even if he or she does not yet show symptoms.

Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis B. Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine should not be given to a child who is allergic to yeast.

If your child has any of these other conditions, this vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:

• kidney disease (or if the child is on dialysis);
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
• an allergy to latex rubber; or
• a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine).

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. If the child has a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, your child's doctor may recommend waiting until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Get emergency medical help if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Your child may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Some people have had seizure-like reactions after receiving this vaccine. The doctor may want your child to stay under observation for a short time after the injection.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child experiences after receiving this vaccine. When your child receives a booster dose, you will need to inform the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Call the doctor right away if your child has:

• breathing that stops during sleep;
• fever, chills, swollen glands;
• fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer;
• unusual muscle weakness;
• changes in behavior; or
• severe skin reaction—fever, sore throat, swelling in the face or tongue, burning in the eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of hepatitis B pediatric vaccine may include:

• diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• feeling weak or tired;
• mild fussiness or crying;
• low fever; or
• runny nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call the doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hepatitis B Prophylaxis:

Primary Vaccination:Engerix-B(R): Three doses (10 mcg each), IM, on a 0, 1, and 6 month scheduleRecombivax HB(R): Three doses (5 mcg each), IM, on a 0, 1, and 6 month scheduleKnown or Presumed Hepatitis B Exposure:Use recommended doses (above) on a 0, 1, and 6 month schedule OR a 0, 1, 2, and 12 month schedule.Comments:-Administer hepatitis B immune globulin if appropriate.-Start hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after exposure.

Contact the doctor if your child misses a booster dose or falls behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Make sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. Your child may not be fully protected if he or she does not complete the full series.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to happen.

Follow the doctor's instructions regarding any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before your child gets this vaccine, inform the doctor about all the other vaccines your child has had recently.

Other drugs may interact with hepatitis B pediatric vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Make sure to tell every health care provider about all the medicines your child is currently taking and any medicine your child begins or stops using.