Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule For Infant Born To Hepatitis B Carrier Mothers 

•  Pre-term infants, except those less than 2000 grams, should follow the above schedule.  Pre-term infants less than 2000 grams require an additional dose of hepatitis B vaccine. A schedule of 0, 1, 2, and 6 months is recommended.
• The initial hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin can be given at the same time but at separate sites.

• The 6-month hepatitis B vaccine can be administered at the same time as the third Pediacel (and Prevnar for high risk infants) injections but at a different site.

Post Vaccination Serology

• The tests that should be completed in this serology screen are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs or HBsAb).

• If HBsAg is positive, the child is likely a carrier and prophylaxis was unsuccessful. 
•  If the child is positive for anti-HBs (≥ 10 IU/L) and negative for HBsAg, the prophylaxis successfully prevented hepatitis B.

• If the infant’s serology is negative for both HBsAg and anti-HBs (anti-HBs < 10 IU/L), the infant is considered a non-responder. A series of three additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine should be started immediately and post-vaccination serology completed at least one month after the completion of this second vaccination series.

For more information call the Middlesex-London Health Unit, Oral Health, Communicable Disease and Sexual Health Services Division at 519 663-5317 ext. 2330.