Hepatitis B vaccine for infants of HBsAg-positive mothers

HBsAg is a marker used to identify current hepatitis B infection in the mother. During pregnancy, the result should be clearly recorded and shared with the team preparing for birth. A newborn may look healthy even when exposed, so waiting for symptoms is unsafe. Hepatitis B vaccination starts the infant’s protection, while the clinical team may also recommend an additional protective medicine based on the exposure plan. This situation is not caused by the vaccine.

Tell the maternity unit and the baby’s doctor about the maternal HBsAg result as early as possible. Ask who will give the newborn’s first preventive treatment, how it will be documented, and when follow-up doses and testing are due. Bring all pregnancy and vaccination records to the birth visit. Do not delay because the baby appears well or because delivery occurs outside the usual clinic. Use the Hepatitis B Vaccination page to prepare questions for the care team.

Contact the maternity or paediatric team immediately if the birth facility has not received the maternal result, the newborn’s treatment is not documented, or a scheduled follow-up has been missed. Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse, a seizure, or a baby who is difficult to wake. Later signs such as poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, dark urine, or jaundice also require prompt clinical advice; do not try to diagnose hepatitis B at home.

Ask which newborn treatments are planned, when each dose and follow-up test should occur, and who owns the record. Confirm the out-of-hours number and what to do if the baby is unwell or an appointment is missed.