Mother’s Awareness about Zero Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccination for their New Born Baby at Birth

Abstract

Zero dose of Hepatitis B vaccination at birth is a key mother-to-child transmission prevention strategy. Despite recommendations for newborn to be vaccinated after delivery, there is a highly effective vaccine for HBV infection and the provision of infant hepatitis B immunization is a proven public health strategy in preventing HBV transmission among children born in health facilities. In highly endemic countries the WHO recommends that the initial hepatitis B vaccine dose be given within 24 hours of birth. This initial dose acts as a post-exposure prophylaxis following possible exposure to HBV during the birthing process. Birth-dose administration will prevent perinatal transmission in 80% to 95% of cases; however, the efficacy declines with increasing intervals between birth and administration of the vaccine (WHO, 2017). World Health Organization. Preventing Mother to Child Transmission of Hepatitis B: Operational Field Guidelines for Delivery of the Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine. Manila: Western Pacific Regional Office, 2017.