Newborn vaccines

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Newborns receive certain vaccines at birth to protect them from serious infections, even before their immune systems are fully developed. Here’s a breakdown of the key vaccines administered shortly after birth:

Hepatitis B Vaccine (HepB)

  • Given at birth (within 24 hours of birth).
  • Purpose: Protects against Hepatitis B, a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can be transmitted from mother to child during birth or through contact with infected blood or body fluids later in life.
  • Doses: The first dose is given at birth, followed by two additional doses—at 1–2 months and 6–18 months.
  • Why at birth?: Infants who contract hepatitis B from their mothers at birth or early in life are at high risk of developing chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

BCG Vaccine (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin)

  • Given at birth in some countries, especially where tuberculosis (TB) is prevalent.
  • Purpose: Protects against tuberculosis (TB), particularly severe forms like TB meningitis and disseminated TB in infants and young children.
  • Why at birth?: In areas with high TB incidence, giving the BCG vaccine early can reduce the risk of severe TB complications.

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) (in some countries)

  • In certain countries where polio is still a concern, OPV may be administered shortly after birth to provide early protection against poliovirus. In other countries, OPV is replaced by the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), usually starting at 2 months of age.

Additional Notes:

  • The Vitamin K injection is also typically administered at birth (though not a vaccine) to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), which can cause life-threatening bleeding in newborns.

Why Vaccinate Newborns?

  1. Immediate protection: Newborns are vulnerable to serious infections. Vaccinating them early helps provide protection before they are exposed to dangerous pathogens.
  2. Prevent transmission: Vaccinating at birth can reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of diseases like hepatitis B.
  3. Global efforts: Vaccinating newborns contributes to global efforts to eliminate diseases like hepatitis B and tuberculosis in certain regions.