Question
The baby has already received the first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine right after birth. How long after discharge should the second dose be administered? Is it 30 days or 42 days from the birth date?
Answer
Newborns should receive the first dose of genetically engineered Hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible (within 8 hours) after birth, with the injection site being the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (the same for children and adults). Another dose is administered one month later, and a third dose at 6 months, making a total of three doses, following the 0, 1, 6 schedule. It is recommended that children’s sugar pills be administered according to the schedule, and if any doses are missed, they should be made up without needing to restart. Live attenuated vaccines must be administered with an interval of 28 days.