Is Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine included under UIP ?
Hepatitis B e Antigen (HbeAg) prevalence among pregnant women, who are HBsAg positive ranges between 8% and 47%, with most studies showing rates of 18% or less. Therefore, perinatal transmission is unlikely to be a major route of acquisition of HBV infection in India. Further, only about 25% of all births in India take place in hospitals. Therefore, a birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine is not being incorporated in the UIP schedule. Feasibility of providing a birth dose to neonates of women who deliver in hospital may be considered at a future date.
