Why should my child get the hepatitis B vaccine?
Getting your child the hepatitis B vaccine protects him against serious disease.
Of the more than 1 million people in the United States living with life-long hepatitis B, most got the virus as a child. When infants and young children are infected with hepatitis B, they have a 90% chance of developing a life-long, chronic infection. One out of 4 of these children will have serious liver disease as an adult, including cancer.
Children and adults with life-long hepatitis B can pass on the virus to other people.
What can I do to protect my child from hepatitis B? Vaccinate your child on time. Talk with your childs doctor if you have questions. Keep a record of your childs vaccinations to make sure your child is up-to-date.If my child does not get the hepatitis B vaccine, will he get the disease?
Children who do not get the vaccine for hepatitis B are at risk for infection. More than 1 million people in the U.S. have life-long hepatitis B. Most dont know it. Therefore, an unvaccinated child may be at risk of getting the disease from someone who has the virus and doesnt even know it.
Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
The hepatitis B vaccine is very safe, and it is effective at preventing hepatitis B. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. But no serious side effects are known to be caused by the hepatitis B vaccine.
Most people who get the hepatitis B vaccine will have no side effects at all. Those that do occur are very mild, such as a low fever (less than 101 degrees) or a sore arm from the shot.