Q&A: Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth?

Oct 29, 2025

New parents face a key decision about vaccinating their newborns against hepatitis B. The vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth to combat a serious liver infection. Discussion centers on the development of immunization guidelines and potential risks of the vaccine. Options include accepting, delaying, or declining the vaccination. Parents are encouraged to weigh personal risks and discuss choices with pediatricians for informed decision-making. Learn about the implications for public health and how state policies might affect your options.

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INSIGHT

Early Vaccine Recommendation And Options

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth to protect newborns early.
The episode frames choices: vaccinate, delay, or decline based on evidence and context.

INSIGHT

High Chronic Risk For Neonatal Infection

Infants infected with hepatitis B at birth develop chronic infection up to 90% of the time.
Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer over time.

ADVICE

Follow The Standard Three-Dose Schedule

Follow CDC and AAP guidance: give the first hepatitis B dose within 24 hours, then at 1 and 6 months.
Use this schedule regardless of perceived low immediate exposure risk unless advised otherwise by your clinician.

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One of the first decisions you will make as a new parent is whether to vaccinate your newborn against hepatitis B. The first dose of this vaccine is recommended within 24 hours of birth, and most babies receive it before leaving the hospital. Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that affects your liver. It can become chronic and, over time, lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer. Although the vaccine is effective, many parents have questions about safety, the timing of administration, and whether it is truly necessary for newborns. You have multiple options, including choosing to vaccinate, delay, or decline. This episode explores the evidence on the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision and feel confident in your choices as a parent.

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Q&#x26;A: Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth?

Early Vaccine Recommendation And Options

High Chronic Risk For Neonatal Infection

Follow The Standard Three-Dose Schedule

Q&A: Should Your Baby Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth?