Skipped hep b for baby, what is a good age to consider it?

[plantnerd]

I did not get D hep b vax as an infant but plan to when he is older.  Those mamas who delayed, what would you consider the "right" age?  I am thinking around 12 considering the whole sex angle.

[MyBoysBlue]

I'm a non vaxer but I wanted to say that here in Alberta Canada the Hep B vaccine is not on the schedule until Grade 5.

http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/imm-routine-schedule.html

[PatioGardener]

If I was in an area with high hep B rates and DS was in a daycare with kids at higher risk for Hep B (based on country of origin) I think I'd consider doing it earlier.  Otherwise grade 5/6 sounds reasonable.

[cynotgirl]

I'd say as an adult he/she should... Hep B is sexually transmitted, and it's generally not a concern until adults. Or, maybe consider age 12 as mentioned above.

[carriebft]

Hep B can be transmitted other ways than sex and needles, for example there have been cases of "spit in the eye transmission" and transmission in day care settings. These risks are very low. We did have a case of transmission in our extended family that was a horizontal transmission from persons living together and since then we do do this vaccine before traveling and staying with them. I would say that it isn't a big necessity until later in life but to be aware that there are transmission risks in daycares, schools, etc but they are extraordinarily low.

[NYMOM07]

dr sears has told me on his forum to do it before puberty because it could be a vaccine that triggers autoimmune disorders after puberty. hth

[kythe]

Originally Posted by NYMOM07 

dr sears has told me on his forum to do it before puberty because it could be a vaccine that triggers autoimmune disorders after puberty. hth

Interesting.  Do you have any other sources for this, such as any studies?  Have there been any cases where this has happened, or is it a theoretical risk?

I know a number of people, including myself, who have been vaxxed for Hep B as adults.  I am a nurse, and have found Hep B to be one of the "required" vaccines for entrance to nursing school as well as many patient-related jobs.  Obviously, anyone working in the health care field now was born long before the vaccine was routine for children, so we've all recieved the series as adults.  I would have thought the Hep B vaccine was only necessary for teens and adults due to the common mechanisms of transmission, but if there is any evidence for this, that could change my view.