HEPATITIS B VACCINE

Type of Vaccine:

“Monovalent vaccine” contain only one antigen

Form of Vaccine:

Cloudy liquid vaccine

Minimum Age at 1st Dose:

At birth

Number of Doses to Complete the Immunization:

Interval:

6 weeks interval from 1st dose to 2nd dose
8 weeks interval from 2nd dose to 3rd dose

Reason:

An early start of Hep B vaccine reduces the chance of being infected and becoming a carrier. Prevent liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Number of Doses per Ampule:

1 for single dose vial
10 for multi dose vial ( 10 children )

Dosage:

0.5 ml

Route of Administration:

Intramuscular

Site of Administration:

Upper outer portion of the thigh ( Vastus lateralis ) in infant ( with DPT: L – R – L )

Storage Temperature:

2 C to 8 C ( in the body of refrigerator ) Note: (Both heat and freezing damages the vaccine).

Special Precautions:

Birth dose must be given if there is a risk of perinatal transmission. Note : (Combination vaccines should not be given at birth, only monovalent HepB vaccine).

Side Effect:

Mild fever that lasts one to two days after injection
Soreness, children may have pain, redness or swelling at the injection site.

Contraindication:

Anaphylactic reaction such as severe rashes, difficulty in breathing and choking to a previous dose.

Health Teaching:

If the child has fever give paracetamol or any appropriate antipyretic at the time and at four and eight hours after immunization.
Alternating cold compress for 24 hours to warm compress if there is pain and soreness .

Giving Hepatitis B Vaccine

Ask mother to hold the child across her knees so that her thigh is facing upwards.
Ask her to hold child’s leg.
Clean the skin with a cotton ball, moistened with water and let skin dry.
Grasp the injection site with your thumb and index finger.
Quickly push the needle, going deep in to the muscle.
Slightly pull the needle back to be sure it is not into a vein.
Inject the vaccine, withdraw the needle and press the injection spot quickly with a piece of cotton.