When is Hepatitis B vaccine administered?

• A. During infancy at 2 weeks
• B. At age 18
• C. During adulthood if exposed
• D. Immediately after birth

Answer: (D)

Vaccination starts right after birth to protect newborns early and help prevent transmission from an infected mother. The first dose is given as soon as possible after birth, ideally within 24 hours. The standard schedule continues with two more doses later: one at about 1–2 months and another at 6–18 months, for a total of three doses. If the mother is known to have hepatitis B, an additional protective step is taken by giving hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) at birth along with the vaccine to provide immediate protection while the vaccine works to build lasting immunity. Delaying the first dose to infancy at 2 weeks, waiting until adulthood at 18, or only vaccinating if exposed in adulthood does not align with the routine practice of protecting newborns and high-risk infants from the start.