Why Do Newborns Should Get The Hepatitis B & Tuberculosis Vaccine At Birth?
Above is the question that many parents were interested in during the talk show "Immunization & The unknown things". Let's find out the answer with Dr. Lai Thi Bich Thuy - Pediatrician of CarePlus Clinics.
4/26/2018 11:25:16 AM
HEPATITIS B VIRUS:
2 in 10 Vietnamese have been infected with the hepatitis B virus
Anyone can get hepatitis B by coming into contact with blood, open sores, or body fluids from someone who is infected with hepatitis B.
Nearly 90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop chronic infections that can later develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer.
==> Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV may be as high as 90% if infants receive hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth.
==> Prevention of 3 following doses at the age of 2,3,4-month-old may be as high as 95% if infants are contacting with the virus and the protection lasts at least 20 years.
In conclusion: Should be vaccinated against hepatitis B as:
Mothers who are infected with hepatitis B are at high risk of passing the virus to their child at birth.
Mothers who test negative for hepatitis B and not vaccinated are still at risk of infection during pregnant, or early testing is difficult to detect.
Source of infection: blood, open sores, body fluids or sharing the needles, e.g: toothbrush, shaves, etc.
Pregnant women should have HBV (if she has not vaccinated)
TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
2 in 1000 Vietnamese infected lung TB and can spread to 15-20 other people
Easy to spread through respiratory tract when the infected person coughs, especially a person who has not been recognized and treated.
Once a person is infected with TB virus, it may not develop into active TB unless the immunization system is impaired (especially in children or older people)
Approximately 40% of infected infants aged <1 year old will progress to active TB and to intrathoracic TB which leads to the high rate of death.
==> It is recommended that infants should have TB vaccines soon as high risk of infection from people surrounding. (e.g: from those who infected TB but have not recognized)