Foto: Mspybs
Asunción, IP Agency.- The Expanded Immunization Program (PAI) announced that vaccination centers in all health regions of the country are supplied with pediatric doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.
Vaccination against hepatitis B is essential to prevent chronic infection and its serious sequelae. The EPI recommends that the first dose be given, ideally, within the first 24 hours after birth, providing early protection against this life-threatening disease.
A complete schedule of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective in preventing the development of chronic infection, highlighting its effectiveness in the fight against this disease, reported the Ministry of Public Health.
It is important to remember that there are different types of hepatitis B vaccines, including monocomponent vaccines and combination vaccines, such as pentavalent and hexavalent, that also offer protection against this infection.
What is hepatitis B and how is it transmitted?
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). According to data provided by the EPI, between 15 and 25% of infected people may die from cirrhosis or liver cancer, which highlights the importance of prevention through vaccination.
The disease is transmitted in a variety of ways, the most common being mother-to-child transmission during childbirth, contact with blood and blood products, sexual intercourse with an infected partner, and accidents with sharp objects, such as contaminated syringes or tattoos.
It is crucial to note that most infected people do not have symptoms immediately after infection. However, some may experience acute symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Acute hepatitis can progress to acute liver failure, which can be fatal.
The availability of pediatric doses of hepatitis B vaccine at immunizations offers a crucial opportunity to protect children from this potentially devastating infection and its long-term consequences. Parents and guardians are urged to take advantage of this preventive measure to guarantee the health of their children.
See national vaccination schedule at the following link:
2023-09-05 12:37:14
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