Give the first hepatitis B vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth
Give the first dose within 24 hours. WHO reports that infection in infancy and early childhood becomes chronic in about 95%, while most adult infections resolve. Early vaccination therefore matters. A baby whose mother is hepatitis B surface-antigen positive also needs hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
What it takes
Free under China's national immunization program, normally given in the birth hospital without a separate trip.
What you may gain
WHO recommends hepatitis B vaccination as soon as possible after birth, within 24 hours. About 95% of infections acquired in infancy/early childhood become chronic, whereas most adult infections clear spontaneously.
Context & considerations
Maternal surface-antigen positivity also calls for immunoglobulin after birth. Establish maternal status during antenatal care, not after delivery. For maternal screening, see Chapter 1.
Research & references
World Health Organization. Hepatitis B fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b