Why Vaccinating Babies Against Hepatitis B at Birth Is Crucial and Why Delaying Is Dangerous

In recent statements, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that children should not receive the hepatitis B vaccine until age 12, asserting that hepatitis B is only sexually transmitted. These statements have caused concern among health experts, as they do not align with current scientific understanding. Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be chronic, leading to severe health issues such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and can be fatal. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen. Specifically, hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually, but importantly, it can also pass from mother to child during childbirth via the birth canal. When a newborn is exposed to hepatitis B at birth, there is approximately a 90% chance they will develop chronic infection. Over time, around a quarter of individuals with chronic hepatitis B will die from complications related to liver disease. This highlights the importance of vaccination immediately after birth, especially in regions where the virus is prevalent. The World Health Organization recommends that all infants receive their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. For mothers infected with hepatitis B, the infant should receive the vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin within four hours of birth to maximize protection. The combined vaccination approach is highly effective, preventing approximately 95% of infections during infancy. The vaccine is administered through a series of doses, with a typical schedule including doses at birth, two months, four months, and six months, providing long-lasting immunity that can extend through adolescence and adulthood. Globally, over 100 countries have adopted the practice of giving hepatitis B vaccines to newborns within the first 24 hours, significantly reducing infection rates. In Australia, for example, vaccination rates are high, and since the implementation of universal infant vaccination, new hepatitis B infections have decreased by two-thirds. The safety profile of the vaccine is well-established, with most side effects being minor, such as soreness or swelling at the injection site, typically resolving quickly. Delaying vaccination poses serious risks because hepatitis B can be silent and often goes undetected, with approximately 0.9% of the Australian population living with chronic hepatitis B, many without knowing their status. Screening pregnant women helps reduce transmission, but it is not foolproof, making the birth dose of the vaccine a vital protective measure for all newborns. Ultimately, vaccinating infants against hepatitis B at birth is one of the most effective strategies to prevent lifelong infection and related health complications, underscoring the importance of timely immunization for every child.