Hepatitis B Vaccine

Q. Since Hepatitis B is considered to be a sexually transmitted disease or STD, why does my baby need to get the Hepatitis B vaccine?

A. That is a common question from parents, even those who otherwise are strong advocates for vaccines.

Although the Hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver infections, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer), is often thought to spread through blood and other body fluids, such as through sexual activity and IV drug use, it is also possible to get it in other ways. In fact, in 30 to 40 percent of cases, the source of infection is unknown.^*

And while the Hepatitis B virus is not thought to spread through casual contact, there have been some reports of children getting infected from playmates at daycare and school.

Other reasons the Hepatitis B vaccine is important include that:

• according to the CDC, about 5 percent of 'people in the United States will get infected with HBV some time during their lives' and there are an 'estimated 1.25 million chronically infected Americans, of whom 20 to 30 percent acquired their infection in childhood'
• children under age 5 years old who become infected have a high likelihood of developing chronic Hepatitis B virus infections and chronic liver disease
• there is no cure for Hepatitis B infections
• Hepatitis B virus infections are the leading cause of cancer in the world

And most importantly, 'prior strategies focusing on immunization of high risk persons had little impact,' so universal immunization (vaccinating all children) seems like the best way to prevent the continued spread of the Hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B References

^*Routine vaccines across the life span, 2005. The Journal of Family Practice. January 2005. Vol. 54. No. 1.