CCHD and IDPH Highlight Importance of Hepatitis B Birth Dose

(Undated) — The Crawford County Health Department is joining the Illinois Department of Public Health in combating some misinformation regarding Hepatitis B. In a post on social media, the IDPH reminds the public that there are several ways Hep B can spread. They say that yes, unprotected sex or sharing needles with an infected person are two ways for it to spread, but there are many other ways both children and adults can be infected. The IDPH says Hepatitis B remains a risk for anyone who is not protected by the vaccine. It can live outside of the body and remain infectious for up to 7 days. At least half of the people infected with Hepatitis B in the U.S. don’t know they have it and can unknowingly spread it to others. The CCHD and IDPH say that’s why the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine is so important. It gives babies the protection they need right away. Learn more about why babies need the Hepatitis B vaccine at healthychildren.org.