Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or during pregnancy or delivery.

According to the NYSDOH, between 2012-2021, on average females represented 42% of all reported hepatitis B cases. Among those, persons that can become pregnant (aged 15-44 years) constituted, on average, 54% of reported cases.

The Albany County Department of Health’s Perinatal Hep B Prevention Program (PHBPP) aims to reduce the risk of transmission of HBV from mother to baby after delivery by:

• Enrolling all pregnant HBsAg (+) positive mothers in Albany County into the program.
• Providing education to medical providers about proper vaccine and testing protocols.
• Providing education to expectant mothers on Hepatitis B.
• Ensuring all babies born to HBsAg (+) positive mothers receive proper vaccination from birth to 6months of age.
• Ensuring all babies born to HBsAg (+) positive mothers receive proper testing to confirm immunity between the ages of 9 to 12 months.
• Ensuring all household contacts are properly vaccinated and providing vaccination to those who need it.

For more information contact the Albany County Department of Health Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) at (518) 447-4640 or visit Perinatal Hepatitis B (ny.gov)

Resources:

Hepatitis B (ny.gov)

New York State Department of Health 2021 Hepatitis B and C Annual Report (ny.gov)