Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine
Generic name: hepatitis B pediatric vaccine [ HEP-a-TYE-tis-B-pee-dee-AT-rik-VAX-een ]
Brand names: Engerix-B Pediatric, Recombivax HB Pediatric/Adolescent, Recombivax HB
Dosage form: intramuscular suspension (10 mcg/0.5 mL; 5 mcg/0.5 mL)
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is hepatitis B pediatric vaccine?
Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.
The hepatitis B pediatric vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in children and teenagers.
The vaccine helps your child's body develop immunity to hepatitis B, but will not treat an active infection the child already has.
Vaccination with hepatitis B pediatric vaccine is recommended for all children beginning at birth, especially children and adolescents who are at risk of getting hepatitis B. Risk factors include: living with someone infected with hepatitis B virus; being born to a mother who is infected with hepatitis B; being on dialysis; living in a facility for developmentally disabled people; traveling to areas where hepatitis B is common; being an adolescent who has never received a hepatitis B pediatric vaccine during childhood.
Like any vaccine, the hepatitis B pediatric vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
Tell your child's doctor if he or she uses other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
Before taking this medicine
Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine will not protect against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect against hepatitis B if your child is already infected with the virus, even if he or she does not yet show symptoms.
Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing hepatitis B. Hepatitis B pediatric vaccine should not be given to a child who is allergic to yeast.
If your child has any of these other conditions, this vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:
kidney disease (or if the child is on dialysis);
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
an allergy to latex rubber; or
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine).
Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. If the child has a more severe illness w...
