In Vietnam, the hepatitis B and tuberculosis vaccines are administered to infants within 24 hours of birth. At two months of age, infants receive further vaccines containing the hepatitis B component, such as the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine. Doctor Nguyen Tien Dao, CKI, Medical Manager at VNVC Vaccination System, answers parental questions about the newborn hepatitis B vaccine:
- Why do infants need a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth?
Studies in Vietnam indicate that approximately 10-20% of pregnant women are infected with the hepatitis B virus. About 90% of infants born to these mothers face a high risk of infection due to exposure to the mother's blood and bodily fluids.
Even if the mother is not infected with hepatitis B, the infant remains at risk of virus exposure. This is because Vietnam has one of the highest rates of hepatitis B globally and regionally, ranging from 10-16% depending on the area. Notably, most people are unaware they are infected.
Therefore, infants require timely intervention with the vaccine and hepatitis B antiviral serum within 24 hours of birth. This period is considered the "golden window" for protecting the child.
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Infants need one dose of hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of tuberculosis vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Photo: Vecteezy |
- How does hepatitis B infection affect newborns?
Hepatitis B often progresses silently, with few symptoms. If left uncontrolled, the virus can destroy liver cells, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 90% of infants aged newborn to under one year who contract the hepatitis B virus will develop chronic hepatitis. For children aged one to four years, this rate is 25-50%. One in four children with chronic hepatitis B will die from liver cancer or other liver diseases.
- How effective is the vaccine?
Administering the hepatitis B vaccine to infants within 24 hours of birth helps prevent up to 90% of mother-to-child transmission. The preventive efficacy gradually decreases each day and offers no protective benefit if given after seven days.
If an infant is born to a mother who does not have hepatitis B, vaccination helps bridge the immunity gap until the child reaches two months of age, or as early as six weeks of age. This protects the infant from the risk of infection from the environment and those around them.
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Children receiving the 6-in-1 vaccine at VNVC Vaccination System. Photo: Hoang Duong |
- Besides vaccination, what other ways can prevent hepatitis B in children?
According to the Ministry of Health's Technical Guidelines for Interventions to Prevent HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis Transmission from Mother to Child, issued in 2/2025, all pregnant women must be tested during their first prenatal visit or as early as possible during pregnancy. If the mother tests positive for the hepatitis B virus, preventive transmission measures will be implemented.
Individuals of reproductive age should undergo annual hepatitis B testing. If infected, people must adhere to their treatment regimen or doctor's instructions, and never stop medication or treatment protocols on their own. During pregnancy and childbirth, mothers need to inform their doctor about their health status.
Hue Lan
