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Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP)

Mission

The Florida Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program is committed to the prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by:

  • Supporting local county health departments and partners as they take the lead role in coordinating perinatal hepatitis B prevention activities in their respective communities.
  • Providing proactive and responsive case identification, case management and follow-up for women, infants and contacts.
  • Identifying strategies to promote a sustainable and efficient program that is responsive to the public and the ever-changing health care environment.
  • Routinely screening all women receiving prenatal care, for Hepatitis B infection, using the HBsAg test early in each pregnancy.

Specific objectives of Florida's Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program are:

  • All pregnant women are tested for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg).
  • HBsAg-positive women are contacted before delivery and educated about HBV infection.
  • Infants born to HBsAg-positive women receive Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth, with follow-up doses of vaccine at ages one and six months.
  • Medical providers and delivery facilities are informed of the mothers HBsAg status.
  • Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers receive post-vaccination testing in a timely manner to ensure protection against HBV infection.
  • A tracking system is used to ensure the infant receives appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Household and sexual contacts of HBsAg-positive women receive pre-vaccination testing, HBIG (if necessary) and Hepatitis B vaccine at recommended intervals.

Florida's overall goal is to ensure that all HBsAg-positive pregnant women receive enhanced case management services.

Background

HBV infection is a serious health problem in the United States. Transmission of HBV from mother to infant during the perinatal period confers the greatest risk of chronic infection or death from HBV-related chronic liver disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 454 and 751 HBsAg-positive Florida women give birth each year; without prophylaxis, 45-100 infants would become infected with HBV. Ninety to 95 percent of these potential infections may be avoided through appropriate maternal screening and infant immunoprophylaxis.

The Florida Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program is making great strides in preventing perinatally acquired HBV. Since 1990, only 76 cases of perinatal HBV infection in infants have been reported in Florida (five cases per year, on average), indicating that there is still work to be done. The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program continues the fight to prevent perinatal transmission of HBV.

For further information, contact the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Coordinator at the address below.

Mailing Address:
Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Coordinator
Department of Health
Bureau of Immunization
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin A-11
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1719

Telephone: (850) 245-4342
Facsimile: (850) 922-4195