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Immunisation of infants at risk of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B:retrospective audit of vaccine uptake

BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7191.1112 (Published 24 April 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:1112
  1. Diane E Wallis, senior registrar in public health medicinea,
  2. Elizabeth H Boxall, consultant clinical scientist.b
  1. aWalsall Health Authority, Lichfield House, Walsall WS1 1TE
  2. bPublic Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Boxall
  • Accepted 10 December 1998

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus is the infection of infants at birth by mothers who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.1 Around 85% of babies born to mothers who are also positive for hepatitis B e antigen become infected.2

Immunoprophylaxis initiated shortly after birth—that is, after exposure to the virus—can prevent perinatal transmission. Passive prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin is 50-90% efficacious, active prophylaxis with hepatitis B vaccine is 75-90% efficacious, and combined active and passive prophylaxis is >90% efficacious.2

Antenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen is universal in the West Midlands. The vaccination schedule for all babies of mothers with hepatitis B virus is 0 (within 48 hours of birth), 1, 2, and 12 months. Babies of mothers positive for hepatitis B e antigen are given 200 IU of hepatitis B …

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