The Claim:
An old rumor circulating right now concerns the Hepatitis B birth dose and whether or not it is necessary and well-tested.
The Facts:
While Hep B is sexually transmitted, it’s not only sexually transmitted. It is also passed vertically from mother to infant during birth. The tweet claims that mothers are tested so babies aren’t at risk, yet 1,000 infants get Hep B in the US every year. Hep B infection can lead to chronic Hep B. Chronic Hep B can last a lifetime and lead to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The younger you are when you get hepatitis B, the more likely it will become chronic. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but vaccines can prevent it.
The widespread implementation of Hep B vaccination programs, including the birth dose, has led to significant reductions in Hep B worldwide. By immunizing newborns, the goal is to achieve a high vaccination coverage rate and create a population with decreased Hep B transmission, ultimately reducing the burden of related diseases.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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