Final answer:
Newborns with mothers who have active hepatitis B should receive both the Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) to provide immediate and long-term protection against HBV.
Step-by-step explanation:
Newborns born to mothers with active hepatitis B (HBV) should be treated with both the Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). This combination is critical because it provides the newborn with immediate passive immunity through HBIG and long-term protection via the vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine is a non-infectious subunit viral vaccine and is part of standard vaccination schedules, with the first dose typically given at birth and a second dose by 18 months of age. HBIG, on the other hand, provides immediate temporary protection by directly supplying antibodies against the virus. This dual approach is highly effective in preventing the transmission of HBV from mother to child at birth.