The Department of Health, in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP) is teaching moms of newborns, as well as their respective families, the importance of Hepatitis B vaccines during the first 24 hours after birth.
Hepa B vaccines are administered for free in hospitals nationwide; it’s also part of Philhealth’s newborn care package.
In line with this, DOH affilate institutions will be implementing this vaccine along with the necessary health teachings in order for moms to be better equipped to care for their kids.
photo: google
“Although the birth dose vaccination program is already in place for many years now, the coverage is still too low at 51% in 2015 despite the availability of these vaccines for free in DOH facilities. I encourage all mothers-to-be and their loved ones to demand from health workers that their newborns be immunized against Hepatitis B within 24 hours after birth. DOH Hospitals are also reminded that supply of vaccines must be readily available.” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial explained in their official statement.
Learn more about Hepatitis B on the next page
Hepatitis B is a viral disease which mainly affects the liver. The DOH considers it as a significant public health problem in the country. It’s the leading cause of liver damage and liver cancer. An estimated 7.3 million Filipinos are infected with chronic Hepatitis B.
However, most acute Hepatitis B infections don’t present with any symptoms and often go unnoticed. But in cases of chronic Hepatitis B infection, severe damage (also known as cirrhosis) can occur over time.
photo: vbi vaccines
Babies and young children are most at risk because they are more likely to develop chronic Hepatitis B if infected with the virus.
photo: WHO
After the initial vaccine dose is administered, the DOH recommends doses at age 1 ½ month, 2 ½ months and 3 ½ months in the form of a combination vaccine – Pentavalent vaccine (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae B, Hepatitis B).
According to Secretary Ubial, Hepatits B is transmitted through a number of ways:
1. From infected mother to child
2. Sex without the use of a condom
3. Contaminated blood transfusion
4. Sharing of infected needles (especially among persons drug users)
5. Tattoing or piercing (if tools used in the process are contaminated)
6. Sharing personal items (such as razors or toothbrushes)
“We know that all vaccines have the potential to bring us that much closer to a world where millions of children no longer die from causes we could prevent. Let us support hepatitis B birth dose vaccination. Sa Unang 24 Oras, Bakunahan si Baby Kontra Hepa B!” she concluded the DOH official statement.
READ: UNICEF: Breastfeeding within first hour of birth is the baby’s “first vaccine”
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