What vaccinations does a baby receive in the maternity hospital?

According to statistics, more than 2 billion people in the world are carriers of the hepatitis B virus, and about 300 million have an active form. Most of them are not even aware of their problem and continue to infect others. Viral hepatitis is one of the ten diseases that cause mortality among the population.

The chronic form of the disease leads to the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. You can become infected not only sexually, but also through everyday contact, as well as in medical institutions and beauty salons. The infection is one of the most economically and socially significant, since the state spends huge amounts of money on treating patients.

To prevent the spread of the virus, universal vaccination was introduced. In 160 countries, newborns are vaccinated while still in the hospital. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce the incidence and protect many children from accidental infection.

About the infection

Hepatitis B is a viral anthroponotic disease, that is, its pathogens can only parasitize inside the body. The virus was first discovered in 1964, and doctor S. Blumberg received the Nobel Prize for his research.

HBV pathogens are highly resistant to external influences. They are able to live in blood samples for up to six months, and die only when treated with dry steam at a temperature of 160 degrees.

Transmission of infection occurs during sexual contact, the use of non-sterile medical and cosmetic instruments, and the use of shared hygiene items.

The source of infection is a person with an active or inactive form of the disease. The highest concentration of microorganisms is observed in semen, blood, urine, the lowest - in saliva. The virus is highly contagious, 100 times greater than HIV.

Transmission of infection through the placental barrier from a sick mother to a child is also highly likely. A newborn can also become infected when passing through the birth canal. However, everything here depends on the activity of the virus. With low activity, the probability of infection does not exceed 15%, while with high activity it will be above 90%.

Watch a video about hepatitis B vaccination:

Symptoms

From the moment the pathogen enters the body until the first clinical signs, it takes from 2 to 6 months. First, viruses accumulate in the liver, and when the maximum concentration is reached, acute hepatitis begins.

It can occur in an anicteric form, then its symptoms are confused with other diseases. In most cases, the immune system copes with the infection, and the person becomes immune forever.

But in 20% of patients, HBV becomes chronic and begins to destroy liver cells. Hepatocytes are gradually replaced by connective tissue, which leads to the complete loss of the organ’s functions.

The first signs of the disease usually go unnoticed because they are not specific. A person develops weakness, fatigue, headache, and indigestion. These symptoms soon disappear due to the undulating course of the disease.

The disease is diagnosed very late, when most liver cells are destroyed. The patient develops skin itching, the liver becomes enlarged, appetite worsens, and various bleeding occurs. Death occurs from developed complications: cirrhosis, cancer, ascites, peritonitis, sepsis.

With timely diagnosis and correct treatment, patients live long enough. However, the cost of drugs is very high; no more than 3% of patients can receive treatment from the state. The rest have to either purchase medications at their own expense or not receive treatment.

To date, not a single medicine has been invented that can destroy the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, the only way to avoid infection is vaccination.

Vaccine

The most common vaccine

Vaccination against HBV is included in the National Vaccination Calendar. Immunization is provided free of charge to all children in the maternity hospital after the written consent of the mother. Currently, there are only preventative vaccines; if infection has already occurred, they will not help cure.

The first drugs for the prevention of hepatitis were invented and began to be introduced in the 80s of the 20th century. The drugs are made based on the envelope protein of the virus (surface antigen). The following types of vaccines are currently used in Russia:

1. Recombinant yeast vaccine against hepatitis B. Manufactured in Tomsk.
2. Vaccine H-B-VAX II made in the USA.
3. Engerix-V.
4. Eberbiovak.

Russian-made drugs are used for immunization free of charge. If desired, the patient can purchase an imported vaccine at his own expense and get vaccinated at a local clinic or paid medical center.

What else awaits the baby?

The first two vaccinations are just the beginning of following the National Preventive Vaccination Calendar. Here are some other vaccines your baby will be given before her first birthday:

• second vaccination against hepatitis B at 1 month;
• vaccination against polio and DTP (whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus) after the baby reaches three months;
• at four and five months - the second vaccination against polio and DPT;
• third vaccination against polio, hepatitis B and DPT – every six months;
• at 12 months – first vaccination against measles, rubella and mumps + Mantoux test.

Vaccination after 1 year:

• re-vaccination against polio and DTP is carried out at one and a half years;
• at 1 year and 8 months - second revaccination against polio;
• at six years of age - repeated vaccination against measles, rubella and mumps;
• at seven years old - vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus + vaccination against tuberculosis;
• at 13 years old - vaccination against hepatitis B and rubella;
• at 14 years old - revaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and polio, revaccination against tuberculosis.

After each vaccination, experts strongly recommend providing the child with physical and emotional rest and, if possible, reducing the time spent walking in the fresh air and swimming.

How does the vaccine work?

Vaccination increases antibodies in the blood

According to official statistics, after the introduction of universal immunization against HBV, not only the risk of infection decreased, but also the number of deaths from cirrhosis and liver cancer decreased.

In 90% of vaccinated children, the injection produces an adequate response from the immune system. If the level of antibodies to hepatitis in the blood is above 100 mIU/ml, then immunization is considered successful. When antibody levels are below 100 mIU/ml, the immune response is weak. If the number of antibodies is below 10, then patients need careful examination, as they may already be a carrier of the infection.

In newborns, immunity to the disease develops for a long time after repeated vaccination. Research shows that antibodies to the virus are present for 25 years, provided that a normal immune response has occurred.

In these cases, immunization is no longer given. Only people at high risk of infection, such as healthcare workers, should be vaccinated.

Is hepatitis B vaccination mandatory for newborns?

The hepatitis B vaccine is not mandatory, which raises doubts among parents about its need. No one will forbid you to refuse this procedure, but before doing so, you should take into account the risk factor that arises during the development of the disease. You need to get vaccinated for the following reasons:

The disease has become widespread; some experts compare it to an epidemic that can only be prevented by vaccinating a child in the maternity hospital. When hepatitis B becomes chronic, complications may develop that lead to disability or death: liver cirrhosis, cancer. If the disease manifests itself in an infant, then without treatment he becomes chronic. Vaccination does not provide 100% protection against hepatitis B infection, but the likelihood is significantly reduced. When a vaccinated child becomes infected, the disease is much milder, recovery occurs faster and without consequences for the baby.

Some parents think that newborns do not need a hepatitis vaccine, there is no place for them to become infected, and there is no need to subject the body to the procedure of introducing the virus. This is a misconception, because in various situations, young children may inadvertently come into contact with someone else's blood, which is infected with hepatitis B. The child may fight, be bitten or hit, and the virus will enter through the wound. If a nurse forgets to change gloves when taking a urine test, infection will occur and the disease can be transmitted through the genitourinary system. Vaccination will be the first “shield” against the risk of infection.

Contraindications

Small newborns are not vaccinated

The HBV vaccine is considered relatively safe because it contains inactive strains of the virus. However, there are certain restrictions for vaccination.

Absolute contraindications are:

1. Autoimmune diseases of the newborn.
2. Intolerance to the components of the drug. It is quite difficult to diagnose this in a child after birth. If the mother has a negative reaction to the vaccine, then it is better for the baby not to receive such a vaccination or to postpone immunization until a later date, when tests can already be carried out. Also, the drug cannot be re-administered if the child had an allergy during the first vaccination.
3. Child immunodeficiency.
4. Severe neurological diseases.

There are also relative contraindications that require postponing vaccination. These include:

1. Low weight of the child (less than 2 kilograms).
2. Viral disease.
3. Heat.
4. Severe condition of the newborn.

Immunization schedule

All newborns who do not have a medical exemption from vaccinations are vaccinated against HBV according to the following schedule:

If for some reason the first vaccination was not carried out in the maternity hospital, then it can be given later. It is imperative that the time interval between injections does not exceed 90 days, otherwise the regimen is started again.

A child born from a mother with hepatitis receives the vaccine according to a different scheme:

Important! Women planning a pregnancy are recommended to get vaccinated a year before conception, so they will develop immunity that will protect mother and baby from infection.

What vaccinations are given to newborns in the maternity hospital?

All parents are concerned about the question of what vaccinations are given to newborns? Doctors necessarily take tests, conduct a visual examination of the baby and, based on the data, prescribe vaccination. This is an effective way to develop immunity in a child, especially if there are signs of predisposition to the development of a particular disease. 2 days after birth, a BCG injection (for tuberculosis) is required.

Vaccinations against hepatitis B at birth in the maternity hospital are also included in the vaccination list, but parents have the opportunity to refuse this procedure. To do this, you should write a written statement and notify the staff of your decision. Employees are obliged, if possible, to persuade parents to get vaccinated, but they do not have the right to force them. Before filing a refusal, carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Immunization procedure

For babies under 3 months old, the injection is given in the thigh.

For babies under 3 months of age, the injection is given in the thigh; older children are allowed to inject the drug into the shoulder. It is strictly forbidden to inject the vaccine into the gluteal muscle due to the proximity of the sciatic nerve, as there is a high risk of damaging it.

It is allowed to carry out other vaccinations, except BCG, simultaneously with the HBV vaccination. If a child has a predisposition to allergies, then he is given an injection of an antihistamine.

Video on the topic

Dr. Komarovsky on whether newborn babies should be vaccinated:

Today, more and more often, parents doubt and even refuse to vaccinate their newborn child. Should we be so afraid of the hepatitis vaccine, and does it actually pose health risks? First, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with this vaccination, with the available indications, as well as contraindications.

You should not make hasty conclusions; it is advisable to first consult with experienced specialists, since there are circumstances in which pediatricians strongly recommend getting this vaccination. It is important to protect your baby from the possibility of becoming a carrier of a viral infectious disease.

Normal reaction

The anti-HBV drug is considered safe and causes almost no negative reactions. In some cases, the child’s condition may change slightly, which is normal. The following symptoms should not cause concern:

1. A small induration at the injection site (up to 6 mm).
2. Moodiness, drowsiness of the baby.
3. Temperature rises to 38 degrees. This occurs due to the body's reaction to foreign particles.

Usually all signs disappear after 1-2 days.

Important! If you have a high temperature (more than 39 degrees), severe redness at the injection site, or signs of allergy, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Complications

After vaccination, a rash on the body is possible

In most cases, the hepatitis vaccine does not cause serious complications. All negative reactions are associated with ignoring contraindications or the individual reaction of the body.

Possible complications after vaccination:

1. Body rash, hives.
2. Quincke's edema.
3. Anaphylactic shock.
4. Strong rise in temperature (up to 40 degrees).
5. Large painful lump and redness at the injection site. It may indicate infection has entered the wound.

Such consequences require immediate medical attention, without which the baby may die.

Vietnam, 2007. Russia 2012.

In April-May 2007, infants were immunized with the hepatitis B vaccine Euvax B in Vietnam. Three deaths and one serious complication followed. Local authorities conducted an investigation together with a commission from the World Health Organization.

The commission's conclusions: the death of one of the children occurred for a reason unrelated to vaccination (myocardial infarction), the death of two more occurred as a result of anaphylactic shock, which could have been a consequence of the administration of the vaccine, but could also have been caused by other reasons. In the case of a serious illness in an infant that occurred after vaccination, it was also not possible to completely exclude the possibility of a post-vaccination complication, nor to confirm it with all certainty. The use of the Euvax B vaccine was suspended, but was resumed after some time.

The story is sad and in its main content it is very similar to what recently happened in our country. Unfortunately, they do not tell us which vaccine was used, apparently believing that this information is unnecessary for us. Newspapers report that the deceased girl was from a very good family, with two older, completely healthy children, but the boy was found to have some kind of narcotic toxic substance in his blood, from which he died. Nothing specific is said about the family, but if the mother brought the baby exactly according to the calendar for a medical examination and vaccination, then it is logical to assume that she is quite conscientious about her parental responsibilities. It's very hard to imagine drug-addicted parents dosing their infant, isn't it? Both babies, according to media reports, were absolutely healthy at the time of vaccination. What could cause a fatal blow to children within just a few hours, if it had nothing to do with the vaccination they received? The investigation is ongoing, and perhaps we will even be told the results...

But let’s pay attention to this: in the tragic case of the Vietnamese babies, the investigation was unable to draw clear conclusions and completely exclude the possibility that it was the vaccine injection that became fatal for them. And if we can't rule out this possibility, is it worth the risk?