Hepatitis B Vaccination

 

 Authorised by:
Charge Nurse Newborn
August 2008
Clinical Guidelines Back Newborn Services Home Page
Information Positive Mothers and those with Unknown Status Hib-HepB (Comvax) 2-in-1 Vaccine Other Related Documents

Hepatitis B - Information

Information
  • Spread through close physical contact with body fluids of an infected person.
  • The most infectious period is from several weeks before symptoms appear until several weeks or months later.
  • Carriers have the virus in their blood and can remain infectious for many years.
  • The younger a person is when Hep B infection occurs the more likely they are to become a chronic carrier.
Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIg)
  • Is prepared from plasmas that contain high levels of antibody to the surface antigen of the Hepatitis B virus. It is given to all babies (including premature infants) whose mothers are Hepatitis B antigen positive.
Storage of vaccine-

Hepatitis B - Mothers Antigen Positive and Status Unknown

Babies born to carrier mothers are at greater risk of catching Hep B virus during birth. Baby can be protected from Hepatitis B by having extra injections of Hep B vaccine and Immunoglobulin (HBIG) at birth. If the recommended immunisations are completed the baby’s risk of becoming infected is reduced by about 95%.

Parental consent/ prescribing of

Hep B vaccine.
  • See flow chart for parental consent and vaccinations to give.

Mothers Hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) status unknown
  • See flow chart for process – consent vaccinations and Hep B Immunoglobulin (HBIG).
Efficacy
  • 85-95% and virtually complete protection in those who develop antibody levels of greater than or equal to 10mlU/ml (the protection level). At least 95% in children after 3 doses.
  • The red form HNN2 then goes into the multidisciplinary notes. Later one copy goes to the Medical Officer of Health, Community Health.
Ordering of Hep B Immunoglobulin
  • On the request form for Human Plasma Protein Products (S405). Send to Blood Bank by chute plus a phone call.

Hepatitis B - Nursing Care of Baby whose Mother is Hep B Antigen Positive or Status Unknown
Nursing care of baby
  • The Nurse will ensure the following steps are carried out in the nursing care for baby whose mother is Hepatitis B antigen positive or status unknown.

 

Step

Action

1

Strict handwashing.

2

Gloves for all cares, where contact with body fluid is anticipated.

3

Baby may have breast milk.

4

Babies greater than 32 weeks gestation bath as soon as possible, if condition stable, using chlorhexidine surgical scrub 4%:

  • Have bath water and towels on hand.
  • Nurse wears long sleeve gown and gloves.
  • Nurse wets hands, pours some chlorhexidine surgical scrub 4% into hands, lathers up solution. Then using hands cover all of baby's skin-hair (avoiding eyes and ears)
  • Place baby in bath water and rinse off the chlorhexidine.
  • Dry baby.



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