A top state health official says there is NO risk in giving children whoare at least six months old a vaccine for hepatitis-B. Some states are nowdelaying the shot for newborns as it contains a type of mercury, but stateepidemiologist Patricia Quinlisk says it’s not a hazard.Some doctors believe too much mercury can cause nerve damage and otherhealth problems. Dr. Quinlisk says that’s not a concern with this shot, butto be on the safe side, parents of newborns may put off having their childget the vaccine.The hepatitis-B shots are among the many required vaccines for new Iowastudents and those entering kindergarten. Quinlisk says the doctors who areavoiding vaccinating newborns with this particular shot are just trying tobe cautious.A new type of “hep-B” vaccine is already being produced that does NOTcontain the mercury, but it’s not yet widely available.
Iowa's Radio News Network
