LEBANON — Witham Health Services was honored to recently be recognized by the Indiana State Department of Health. The Witham Maternity Center received the top Gold Award in recognition of their best practices in the prevention of perinatal Hepatitis B infection. The honor roll recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Nearly one in three U.S. newborns leaves the hospital unprotected from life-threatening hepatitis B infection. As a result, approximately 800 U.S. newborns are chronically infected each year through perinatal exposure.
A birth dose of HepB vaccine can prevent perinatal transmission — yet today, only 70 percent of U.S. infants receive the vaccine within three days of birth. That’s why the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is urging hospitals and birthing centers to meet the national standard of care by providing a universal birth dose of HepB vaccine.
Why should we give HepB vaccine to all newborns?
• It prevents mother-to-infant transmission
Prevents 70–95 percent of transmission to infants born to HBsAg-positive women
• It prevents household transmission
Protects infants from infected family members and other caregivers
• It provides protection if medical errors occur
Provides a safety net to prevent perinatal transmission when medical errors occur
The Hep B birth dose is recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
