Talking Point #08 - Same Dose for Adults & Babies
You get 0.5 mL... And YOU get 0.5 mL... AND YOU GET 0.5 mL!!!
One of the most shocking pieces of information I discovered during my research is that the dosage for certain vaccines, such as the flu shot and Hepatitis B vaccine, is the same for adults and infants. For instance, my 5-pound baby received the same dosage of the Hepatitis B vaccine just a few hours after birth as a grown 19 year old man would receive.
Here is an example from the Flu Shot package insert: FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in persons aged 6 months and older. Ages 6 months through 8 years of age receive one or two doses, 0.5 mL each. If 2 doses, administer at least 4 weeks apart. Ages 9 years of age and older receive one dose, 0.5 mL.
Another example from the Hepatitis B package insert: ENGERIX-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)] injectable suspension, for intramuscular use. Initial U.S. Approval: 1989. Persons from birth through 19 years of age: A series of 3 doses (0.5 mL each) on a 0-, 1-, 6-month schedule.