What is the youngest age that hepatitis B vaccine is recommended in infants and children?

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to be administered to infants starting at birth. This early vaccination is crucial because infants are particularly vulnerable to hepatitis B infection. The vaccine not only protects the newborn from potential exposure to the virus during the early stages of life but also contributes to the establishment of herd immunity in the community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine be given as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first 24 hours. This timing is vital for effectively reducing the risk of chronic infection, which can lead to serious health complications, including liver disease and liver cancer later in life.

By starting the vaccine series at birth, it minimizes the chance of transmission, especially in cases where the mother is a carrier of hepatitis B virus. Hence, administering the vaccine at this age plays a significant role in public health efforts to control and prevent hepatitis B infection.