What should you know about hepatitis B birth dose?

Hepatitis B can affect the liver and may be present without obvious symptoms. Giving the vaccine soon after birth prepares the baby's immune system before an exposure can occur. It is especially relevant when the birth parent has hepatitis B or their infection status is not yet known. The birth dose is part of a wider vaccination plan; later doses are needed to build and maintain protection.

Ask the maternity or paediatric team when the vaccine was given and have it recorded in the baby's vaccination booklet. If the birth parent has hepatitis B, tell the newborn team promptly because the baby may need additional protection and a planned follow-up schedule. Keep future vaccine appointments, even if the baby appears well. Learn more about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/).

Contact the newborn's clinician promptly if the birth dose was missed, its timing is uncertain, or there was a known hepatitis B exposure. Seek urgent medical care if a baby is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, is feeding poorly, or appears seriously unwell. A newborn may not show clear signs of hepatitis B, so exposure history matters more than waiting for symptoms.

Ask whether the birth parent needs hepatitis B testing, which follow-up vaccine schedule applies, and whether the baby needs a blood test later. Ask how records will be shared between the maternity unit and the baby's regular clinician.