What is Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus. Hepatitis B can cause inflammation of the liver and nausea. It may also result in jaundice. Hepatitis may lead to cancer of the liver or cirrhosis.The Hepatitis B vaccine for children and adolescents is used to prevent this disease.The vaccine will help your child develop immunity against hepatitis B. However, it won't treat any infections that the child has.All children, including those at high risk for hepatitis B, should be vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine. The following are risk factors: living with someone who has hepatitis B; being born to a woman who is infected by hepatitis B; being on dialysis; living in a facility that serves developmentally disabled individuals; traveling to an area where hepatitis B occurs; and being an adolescent without a childhood hepatitis B vaccine.The hepatitis B vaccine for children may not protect everyone from the disease.
Side effects of Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine
If your child shows any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat.If your child had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose, he or she should not get a booster shot.After receiving this vaccine, your child may feel faint. Some people experienced seizures after receiving the vaccine. Your doctor may ask that your child be observed for a few hours after the vaccination.Keep a record of all side effects that your child experiences after receiving the vaccine. You will need to inform the doctor of any side effects that occur after the first shot.
If your child is suffering from:
- When sleeping, the breathing stops.
- Fever, chills, and swollen glands.
- The act of crying or fussing for more than an hour
- Unusual muscle weakness
- Changes in behavior
- Severe skin reaction: fever, sore neck; swelling of the face, tongue, or lips; burning of the eyes. Skin pain is followed by a purple or red rash that spreads to the upper or lower body and causes blistering.
Side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine for children may include:
- Diarrhea, loss of appetite
- Feeling tired or weak
- Mild fussiness or crying
- Low fever
- Runny nose
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report the side effects of vaccines to the US Department of Health and Human Services by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Warnings
Inform your child's physician if they are taking other medications or have any other medical conditions.
Before you take this drug
Hepatitis C and E or other liver viruses will not be protected by the hepatitis B vaccine for children. The vaccine may not work if your child has hepatitis B, even if they do not show any symptoms.If your child has ever experienced a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine that contains hepatitis B, then this vaccine should be avoided. A child allergic to yeast should not receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
This vaccine may have to be delayed or even not given if your child suffers from any of the other conditions listed.
- Kidney disease (or dialysis if the child has kidney disease)
- A bleeding disorder or blood clotting problem, such as hemophilia, or being easily bruised
- Allergy to Latex Rubber
- A neurologic disease or disorder affecting the head (or if it was an allergic reaction to a prior vaccine).
You can still give your child a vaccination if they have a minor cold. Your child's doctor might recommend that you wait until your child is better before administering this vaccine if he or she has a severe illness, such as a fever.Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or nursing.
How to take Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine?
The vaccine must be injected subcutaneously into a muscle.This injection will be given to your child in a clinic or doctor's office.The hepatitis B vaccine for children is administered in a series starting shortly after birth. Sometimes booster shots are given between 1 and 2 months, or 6 to 18 months after the initial shot. The vaccine series should be started as soon as possible if your child did not receive the birth dose.The booster schedule for your child may differ from the guidelines. You should follow the instructions of your doctor or the schedule prescribed by the local health department.
Details on dosage
The usual pediatric dose for hepatitis-B prophylaxis
Primary Vaccination
Engerix B (R): Three 10 mcg doses, I'M on a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule
Recombivax (HB): three doses (5 mg), I'M on a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule
Hepatitis B exposure:
Use the recommended doses on a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule or a 0, 2, 3, and 12-month plan.
Comments:
If appropriate, administer the hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
Start the hepatitis B vaccination as soon as you can after exposure.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If your child is behind on their booster doses or has missed a scheduled dose, contact the doctor. The next dose should be administered as soon as possible. There is no need to start again.Ensure that your child gets all the recommended doses. If your child does not get the entire series, he or she may not be protected.
What happens if I overdose?
It is very unlikely that this vaccine will cause an overdose.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Tell the doctor all the vaccines that your child has received recently before he administers this vaccine.Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with the hepatitis B vaccine. Inform your health care provider about any medicines that your child is currently taking and those that they may start or stop using.
