But, some viruses and bacteria are still active and can cause serious illness. It is important that all children, especially infants and young children, receive recommended immunizations on time. In other countries, many vaccine-preventable diseases are relatively common. Because of travel, these diseases could return to the US, resulting in increased, and unnecessary, illness, disability, and death among children.
Immunizations start at birth.
The first immunization given is the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by hepatitis B virus. The younger the person is when infected with hepatitis B, the greater the likelihood of staying infected and having life-long liver problems, such as scarring of the liver and liver cancer. The disease is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person or by having sex with an infected person. Hepatitis B vaccine will prevent this disease.