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Immunization Program

CHILD Profile

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Program Goals and Objectives

The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program’s overall goal is to reduce the incidence of hepatitis B in infants born to infected (HBsAg+) mothers. Achievement of this goal involves identifying HBsAg+ pregnant women and their household/sexual contacts and establishing an effective follow-up system to assure that infants born to HBsAg+mothers receive appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis and susceptible contacts receive a 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine. Appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for these infants includes hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine, shortly after birth, followed by 2 additional doses of vaccine (at 1-2 months and 6 months of age).

Objectives to attain this goal include:

  • Assure that 100% of all pregnant women who deliver are screened for HBsAg prenatally or at delivery.
  • Assure that 95% of expected births to HBsAg+ mothers are identified.
  • Assure that at least 95% of infants born to identified HBsAg+ mothers receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 7 days of birth and complete the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series by 6-8 months of age.
  • Assure that at least 90% of susceptible sexual partner(s) and household contacts of identified HBsAg+ pregnant women complete the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series.

Program Components:

  •  Funds Available in the Consolidated Contracts for Local Health Jurisdictions. Contract requirements include:
    1. Identification and reporting of HBsAg+ mothers and their infants.
    2. Case management and tracking of infants to assure that they receive the first dose of HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth, the second dose at 1-2 months of age, the third dose at 6 months of age, and post-vaccination testing at 9-15 months of age.
    3. Identification and tracking of susceptible household and sexual contacts to assure that they receive HBIG and/or hepatitis B vaccine, and post-vaccination testing if appropriate.
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine: Under this program, state-supplied hepatitis B vaccine is available for ALL infants born to HBsAg+ women and for household contacts and sexual partners who are less than 20 years old.
  • Laboratory Screening for Hepatitis B by Designated Laboratory: Under this program, local health jurisdictions (LHJs)  may obtain free laboratory screening for hepatitis B IF the blood is drawn by the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) and sent to Public Health--Seattle & King County Laboratory. Lab screening is available for the following groups:
    • Pregnant women if they do not have Medicaid or another third party payment source that will cover screening.
    • Household contacts and sexual partners of HBsAg+ pregnant women if the contacts/partners do not have Medicaid or another third party payment source that will cover pre-vaccine screening.
    • Infants born to HBsAg+ mothers if the infants do not have Medicaid or another third party payment source that will cover post-vaccine screening.
  • Information and Education: Immunization Program staff will enlist the support and collaboration of local health jurisdictions (LHJs) in informational and educational efforts directed at health care providers and HBsAg+ pregnant women. Informational materials are available from the Immunization Program CHILD Profile. Also, program staff are available for site visits to local health jurisdictions (LHJs) to assist with program implementation.