Starting Monday October 11, healthy newborns at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) will receive a birth-dose of hepatitis B vaccine within the first 24 hours of life to improve their protection against the enduring and potentially fatal disease.
In 2009, World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized prevention of mother-to-child Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) transmission, by recommending that all countries, even those with low HBV prevalence, introduce universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination.
“Hepatitis B can lead to devastating lifelong illnesses or even death, so this vaccine is a critical safety net to protect babies from acquiring a potentially serious infection at the time of birth,” said Shivon Belle-Jarvis, MD, SLBMC Pediatric Department Chair.
“Many adults with an infection do not feel or look sick and are not even aware that they carry the virus. It is contagious and adults can transmit it while caring for an infant after birth.”
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. Chronic infection over the course of a lifetime can lead to liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death.
“This is the first vaccine a baby receives,” said Ann-Marie Browne-Isaac, RN, SLBMC Maternity & Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Department Manager. “It is important that no newborn leaves the hospital without it. Infants are especially vulnerable to infection at the time of birth, and need the maximal protection provided by administering the first vaccine dose shortly after birth.”
All medically stable newborns with a minimum birth weight of 2000 grams (about 4 lbs., 6 oz.) and born to mothers who are hepatitis B negative, will receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. For infants born to hepatitis B positive mothers, the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin will be administered at birth, which is not new, regardless of birth weight or other co-morbidities.
The vaccine is well tolerated in infants.
Salma Crump, SLBMC Head of Marketing & Communications said, “This policy change is being guided by the Ministry of Health Wellness & the Environment. We’re grateful for the support of the Pan American Health Association (PAHO) who assisted with funding for our education program, which is ongoing—as well the support of the Kiwanis Club of St. John’s Antigua, who immediately said yes, when we asked for their assistance with purchasing a vaccination refrigerator.”
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This is absolute madness! Giving an infant that doesn’t yet have functioning immune system an unnecessary vaccine is medical malfeasance. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and body fluids, what are the chances of a newborn infant contracting it? If you want to add this to the vaccine schedule that one thing, but at least wait until they have a mature immune system.
Antigua is clearly a captured nation. SMDH !
Sugarapple,
Newborns receiving shots is nothing new, hep B is a silent killer and is prevalent in the Caribbean. I think you answered your own question regarding the chances of a newborn becoming infected, blood and bodily fluids… there is a thing called birth, both vaginal or c-section, these increases exposure to a newborn.
They should encourage all adults to get hep B shots also.
Genius Jeff, not everyone woman who gives birth is a hepatitis B carrier. Why should infants born to hep B negative mothers get vaccinated? It is senseless and a tremendous burden on an infant’s immature immune system.
Sounds like you got yours!
How many people do you know of who died from Hep B in Antigua? Were these vaccines donated by Bill Gates? Don’t tell me the government found money to buy them when people in the country are hungry. So if a woman is vaccinated for covid, her child will be vaccinated for Hep B also? I guess they will just take the baby from the mother and give it a jab like the nazis.
.
Hep B is not problem on our community so much so dat they need to vaccinate nobody. Y even a negative parents child get vaxxed if she negative???? Dat mek sense to u? Sometimes we just jump and accept n agree to alo kinda shit. Their immune systems are so fragile n tender. This is just crazy!!!
Natasha do you know the Stats. The mothers and newborns who have been affected will not agree with you. Please tell us the numbers if you can!
Internet doctors strikes again!!
@covidiot 🙂 good one. They have struck again indeed.
Still not needed because it’s not affecting people on a large scale….those who need it give it to them but it ain’t necessary..yes babies immune systems as they are born needs strengthening but artificially isn’t always the best way and that’s where breast feeding and breast milk comes into play. Honestly feels like this whole world is crazy over needles, vaccines and artificial protections that aren’t even reliable.
Who gives these doctors the authority to vaccinated these babies? Is someone peddling some vaccines and paying these health professionals? In my whole life I have not met anyone with Hep B. These health care people are just following what they don’t know. Are they going to vaccinated Antiguans and their children with every vaccine pushed on you? All we need now is the government to mandate it? Any other country doing this? Please leave people’s children alone.
We know who gave the authority, but what about the right?
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