Infant Vaccination
Infants born to HBsAg-positive women must receive the accurate doses of HBV vaccine and HBIG to ensure complete protection. In order to protect these infants, both medications should be given immediately after birth in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life.
CDC Recommended Dosing Schedule
First Dose: Birth to two months. Children whose mothers are hepatitis B surface antigen positive or whose hepatitis B surface antigen status is unknown should get this dose within 12 hours of birth.
Infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen positive mothers should receive hepatitis B vaccine and 0.5 milliliters of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) at separate sites.
Second Dose: One to four months, but at least 4 weeks after the first dose, except for Hib-containing vaccine that cannot be administered before age 6 weeks.
For infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen positive mothers, the second dose is recommended at age 1-2 months and the vaccination series should be completed (third or fourth dose) at age 6 months.
Third Dose: Six to 18 months, but at least 16 weeks after the first dose and at least 8 weeks after the second dose. The last dose in the vaccination series (third or fourth dose) should not be administered before age 6 months.
For infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen positive mothers, the vaccination series should be completed (third or fourth dose) at age 6 months.
*Please Note: Although the CDC states
that the medications can be given within the first 12 hours
of life, there is no second chance to protect an infant
once this window of opportunity is missed. Therefore,
the Hepatitis B Foundation strongly recommends that health
care professionals administer these medications immediately
in the delivery room to avoid any delays or mistakes.
Page last modified October 21, 2009
