Immunization 101: BCG and Hepatitis B Vaccines

September 10, 2015

Immunization 101: BCG and Hepatitis B Vaccines

My little Queen B received her first two vaccines namely the BCG vaccine and the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine right after birth. These vaccines were part of the newborn care package at St. John the Baptist Medical Center, the hospital where I gave birth.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, commonly called BCG, is a vaccine against tuberculosis. It is named after French physician and bacteriologist Albert Calmatte and veterinarian Camille Guérin, its developers. The BCG vaccine was first used in humans in 1921. The World Health Organization recommends that the BCG vaccine be given to all children born in countries where Tuberculosis is highly endemic like the Philippines.

Tuberculosis, also called TB, remains a major cause of death here in the Philippines. In 2013, 27,000 Filipinos die of this disease. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), common symptoms of tuberculosis include:

A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
Pain in the chest
Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep inside the lungs)
Weakness or fatigue
Weight loss
Chills
Fever at night
Loss of appetite

The BCG vaccine can prevent severe tuberculosis in children. It has an efficacy of up to 80% in preventing tuberculosis for duration of 15 years. It is given intradermally at the insertion of the deltoid. The deltoid muscle is a rounded, triangular muscle located on the uppermost part of our arms. BCG immunization leaves a characteristic raised scar which can be used as proof of being vaccinated. Only one dosage is needed.

More than 7 months after her BCG vaccine, the scar is barely visible on my little Queen B's deltoid.

Meanwhile, Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be either acute (lasts less than 6 months) or chronic (lasts 6 months or longer). It is transmitted through contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person.

Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B include:

Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Fever
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

In the 2013 report of Hepatology Society of the Philippines, an estimated 7.3 million Filipinos or 16.7% of the adult population are chronically infected with the HBV. It is said to be the leading cause of liver damage which can result to liver cancer.

The first Hepatitis B vaccine became available in 1981. It is given intramuscularly. Like with the BCG vaccine, the WHO recommend that the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine be administered shortly after birth, preferably within the first 24 hours. The second dose, usually combined with other vaccines, is given at least a month after the first one. The third dose, usually also combined with other vaccines, is preferably given not earlier than 24 weeks of age. If given at less than 24 weeks of age, another dose of the vaccine is recommended. The vaccine has been found to be very effective and safe for use.

By the way, hepatitis B can’t be contacted through breastfeeding. It can be transmitted through birth though when normally delivered. I had my hepatitis B vaccine years before I got pregnant and besides I gave birth via Caesarean delivery. Also, newborns may exhibit jaundice but this should not cause worry. It is called newborn jaundice caused by excess bilirubin which their liver will naturally process away.

If your babies did not get the BCG and Hepatitis B vaccines at the medical institution where you gave birth or if you gave birth at home, these vaccines can be availed without charge at our local health centers. We availed the remaining shots of Hepatitis B vaccine at our local health center. My little Queen B had completed the series since June.

Georgina had 4 shots of the Hepatitis B vaccine since she had her third shot before 24 weeks of age.

Immunizing our children is a very important step in protecting them from diseases but it is not the only way. Clean surroundings, healthy diet, adequate sleep, and exercise help in maintaining their good health.

#xoxo

Sources:

WHO TB Statistics for 2013