The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides
comprehensive vaccine recommendations to protect all Americans
against hepatitis B during their life span. The ACIP
recommendations are endorsed by the American Academy of
Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Universal Infant
Vaccination ("Birth Dose") ALL infants should receive the first
dose of hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital before they are
taken home. In 1991, ACIP recommended universal hepatitis B
vaccination of all infants born in the U.S. This "birth dose" of
vaccine helps reduce the risk of hepatitis B transmission from a
woman who is unknowingly infected to her newborn baby at the
time of delivery. It also protects a vulnerable newborn from
possible infection from a family or household member who may be
infected with hepatitis B. Children and Adolescents (0 - 18
years) ALL children up to age 18 years should receive the
hepatitis B vaccine. Since children are at