Babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive need to be given a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of their birth, followed by further doses at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, plus a final dose when they're 1 year old. The first dose is provided in maternity with subsequent doses being provided by primary care.
Testing for infection (hepatitis B surface antigen, HBsAg) is vital and can be done at the same appointment as their 12 month dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Either take a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) (preferred method to prevent loss to follow up) or refer to phlebotomy services. DBS kits can be ordered from england.dbskits-london@nhs.net
This is a vital post-exposure treatment programme to prevent children exposed to Hepatitis B via the mother’s blood around the time of delivery from contracting the infection, which has serious lifelong health consequences. It is possible to prevent c.90% of chronic Hepatitis B infections in these children if the programme is delivered correctly.
Many mothers do not attend primary care until the babies 6-8 week check so it is vitally important that the babies are invited by their GP practice to receive their second dose of vaccine at 4 weeks old. This is an additional dose that is received prior to the primary vaccination schedule.
You will be notified via CHIS and receive a letter from maternity when a baby requires the post-exposure treatment programme. It is vital that you invite the baby to your practice to receive the second dose of vaccine at 4 weeks old and begin the post-exposure programme.
Further resources can be found here:
- Primary Care information on the vaccination schedule
- Information leaflets for patients
- Additional PHE Hepatitis B resources
If you have any queries please contact our team directly at england.londonimms@nhs.net