The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program at the Ohio Department of Health was created to work with Local Health Departments, providers and birthing facilities to encourage and facilitate the administration of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin and hepatitis B vaccine to babies of hepatitis B-positive moms, and thereby reduce the possibility of them  contracting hepatitis B virus at birth. Within the first 12 hours of birth, a high-risk baby is given a dose of hepatitis B vaccine as well as a dose of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) for immediate protection. The vaccine is the first of three doses the baby will need by 6 months of age. After the third dose, the baby will need to have blood drawn to see if he or she has developed the antibody protection needed to prevent the disease. Ohio babies get HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine free of charge with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Ohio. Funding also allows for testing and vaccinations for other people living in the baby’s household for greater protection of the baby.

Mailing Address:

Ohio Department of Health
Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention
35 E. Chestnut St., 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone:  (614) 466-4643
                   (800) 282-0546 (Ohio Only)

E-mail:  immunize@odh.ohio.gov