Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination Improvement Initiative: The 24-Hour Baby Bundle

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a risk to newborns, with an estimated 25,000 infants born to infected mothers annually in the US.
• Timely HBV vaccination at birth is crucial for preventing transmission, yet fewer than 70% of infants receive it within 3 days.
• Northwestern Medicine introduced the 24-hour baby bundle (24-HBB) to improve adherence to HBV vaccination guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the 24-hour baby bundle (24-HBB) on the timeliness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine administration in newborns.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 22,057 infants born before and after the 24-HBB implementation.
• The 24-HBB is a bundled care process initiated within 23 hours of life, prioritizing HBV vaccination.
• Data was collected from infants born between February 2019 and February 2021, excluding a 2-month education period.

Main Results:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization within 24 hours increased significantly from 43.83% to 66.90% post-implementation (P < .0001).
• Overall HBV immunization rates before discharge also saw a significant rise from 98.18% to 98.82% (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

• The 24-hour baby bundle (24-HBB) effectively boosts HBV vaccination rates within the critical first 24 hours of life.
• Newborn nurseries can adopt similar bundled care initiatives to enhance vaccination compliance and prevent hepatitis B.
• Implementing the 24-HBB supports national recommendations and promotes long-term child health.