March 30, 2006 Berlin, Vt -- The Central Vermont Medical Center Women and Children’s Unit is now offering Hepatitis B vaccine immunization to new parents for their newborns. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) made an official statement on January 18, 2006 about the recommendation of vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends immunizations to ensure that newborn infants are protected from Hepatitis B virus infection, a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer in the United States. The ACIP now recommends universal infant Hepatitis B vaccination should begin at birth on the majority of infants.
“The Women and Children’s Unit at CVMC has implemented policies and procedures to begin immunizations,” announced Christine Bernardine RN. “The first vaccination under these new policies and procedures was given on February 24, 2006.”
Prior to Hepatitis B vaccination becoming routine in the United States, transmission of Hepatitis B virus infection perinatally and during early childhood caused an estimated 30-40% of chronic Hepatitis B virus infections. Approximately 25% of chronically infected children die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer. The majority of chronically infected persons remain asymptomatic until the onset of cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease.
Parents are given a vaccine information sheet on Hepatitis B vaccine published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This sheet describes: why get vaccinated; how is Hepatitis B virus spread; who should get Hepatitis B vaccine and when; etc. The parent can review any questions or concerns with their care provider or nurse. The infant is then immunized. This information and other information about CVMC’s services can be viewed on the web www.cvmc.hitchcock.org. To learn more about the Hepatitis B vaccination click on Departments and Services, Women’s and Children’s Unit, Birthing Center.
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