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Seattle & King County
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Home » Communicable disease facts » Perinatal Hepatitis B

Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology
Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP)

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What is the PHBPP?

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What is the goal of the PHBPP?

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How is this goal achieved?

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What is the appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for infants born to HBsAg-positive women?

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What about follow-up blood testing of these infants?

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How and when do I report a pregnant women who has hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive)?

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Questions about the PHBPP?


What is the PHBPP?

The PHBPP is a tracking and reminder program for infants and household contacts of pregnant women who have hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive).

What is the goal of the PHBPP?

The main goal of the PHBPP is to reduce the incidence of hepatitis B in infants born to women with hepatitis B.

How is this goal achieved?

  • First, HBsAg-positive pregnant women must be identified:
    • All women should be screened for hepatitis B (HBsAg) during each pregnancy.
    • Women who test negative for HBsAg early in their pregnancy but who are at increased risk for hepatitis B should be screened again at the time of delivery.
  • All HBsAg-positive pregnant women should be reported to the health department during their pregnancy and at the time of their delivery.
  • A follow-up system is in place to help assure that infants born to HBsAg-positive women receive appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Additionally, all household and sexual contacts of pregnant women with hepatitis B should be identified, and
    • Susceptible contacts should receive the 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine.
    • Any contacts with a recent exposure may also need hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), if a substantial exposure to a HBsAg-positive woman has occurred within the last 14 days.

What is the appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis for infants born to HBsAg-positive women?

  • HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine given within 12 hours of birth (or at least within 7 days after birth)
  • 2 additional doses of hepatitis B vaccine, given at 1-2 months of age and 6 months of age (dose 3 should not be given before infant is 6 months of age)

What about follow-up blood testing of these infants?

  • Infants born to HBsAg-positive women should be screened for HBsAg (to see if they have hepatitis B) and anti-HBs (to see if they have adequate antibody (are protected) against hepatitis B).
  • This follow-up testing should be done 3 to 9 months after dose #3 of hepatitis B vaccine (at 9-15 months of age).

How and when do I report a pregnant women who has hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive)?

  • Hepatitis B in pregnant women is a legally notifiable condition and should be reported within 3 days to the health department.
  • All pregnant women who are HBsAg-positive should be reported to the health department as early in pregnancy as possible.
  • Reporting of a HBsAg-positive pregnant woman to Public Health-Seattle & King County can be done in the following ways:
    • Call Communicable Disease Control, Epidemiology, & Immunization at (206) 296-4774
    • Call the 24-hour report line at (206) 296-4782, push "3" to report PHBPP information, or
    • Fax a completed PHBPP "Confidential Case Report Form" to (206) 296-4803.

Questions about the PHBPP?

  • Call (206) 296-4774 for questions.
  • PHBPP materials, such as the "Confidential Case Report Form" and the "PHBPP Manual" can be ordered using any of the above 3 contact numbers.
  • The above contact numbers can also be used to report vaccine doses and test results on infants and household contacts of women enrolled in the program.
more info

Plain Talk About Child Immunizations
Facts about Plain Talk About Child Immunizationschildhood immunization; vaccine preventable disease, vaccine safety, the immune system and how vaccines work, legal requirements, and more.

Updated: Monday, October 27, 2003 at 12:56 AM

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. For more information please call 206-296-4600 (voice) or 206-296-4631 (TTY Relay service). Mailing address: ATTN: Communications Team, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 999 3rd Ave., Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98104 or click here to email us.

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