Manager: Ann Basner, MPH
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- The goal of the VPHBP Program is to eliminate hepatitis B by working closely with local health departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers to prevent the perinatal transmission of the disease.
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- When hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive pregnant women, their household contacts, and their sexual partners are identified, free testing and vaccine is provided.
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To prevent the spread of HBV from mother to infant, the VPHBP works with providers to ensure infants receive proper post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes:
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- One dose each of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
- A second dose of vaccine at 1-2 months of age followed by a third at 6 months of age.
- Post-vaccination testing at 9 months of age to ensure immunity.
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Services Provided by the VPHBP Program
Free hepatitis B testing at the local health department for any underinsured or uninsured pregnant woman.
🠊Free hepatitis B testing for household and sexual contacts of HBV positive pregnant women (per guidelines).
🠊Free hepatitis B vaccine series for household and sexual contacts of HBV positive pregnant women.
🠊Free HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine series for infants born to HBV positive mothers.
🠊Free post-vaccination testing to all infants born to HBV positive mothers.
Hepatitis B Facts
🠊HBV causes infection of the liver which can lead to chronic liver disease and premature death.
🠊The CDC estimates approximately 850,000 persons in the US are infected with HBV*.
🠊1,797 hepatitis B-associated deaths were reported among US residents in 2022.
🠊HBV is highly infectious and spreads through blood or sexual fluids.
Perinatal Hepatitis B
🠊The CDC estimates that nearly 18,000 women with HBV will give birth each year in the US, with over 500 in Virginia alone.
🠊80-90% of persons infected during infancy will develop chronic hepatitis B, of which approximately 25% will die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
🠊Proper PEP is 94 % effective at preventing perinatal transmission of HBV.
🠊All pregnant women are required by law to be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during pregnancy.
🠊Reporting of pregnancy status is required by law for all reportable conditions.
When a pregnant woman tests positive for HBsAg:
+The positive HBV test result is reported to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
+VDH initiates disease intervention activities to identify and vaccinate household and sexual contacts, if needed.
