Hepatitis B vaccination

[Lily Dalke]

I've been noticing for awhile now that some of us routinely encourage vaccination for Hepatitis B to all women who are not immune to Hep B, while others (like myself) do not.

The CDC guidelines recommend vaccinating only those who are high-risk: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/VaccAdults.htm

Can anyone who has been routinely recommending Hep B vaccination to all non-immune patients let me know what the rationale is? Likely I am missing something...and wanting to get on the same page as everyone else.

Thanks,

Lily

[Lily Dalke]

Also this one :

[Lily Dalke]

Replies to this post:

From Jen -When I remember, I counsel patients on hep B and simply ask them if they want to be vaccinated - which the CDC condones - rather than do a risk assessment. Most people say yes . The issue I have is when this process is started post partum, they can't always come back to finish the series so I'm trying to start it earlier now.

From Cherida -

I don't

I worry that we overdo the vaccinating sometimes

It's not without it's own risks

From Debbie - We are all vulnerable to Hep B.  Do we always know what our partner is doing or do we always know what our women are doing.It is something to discuss with women and they make the final decision.  In reality, who is safe?

Don't forget to "reply all", that way everyone will benefit from your wisdom!