Protection from birth: Expanding access to hepatitis B birth dose

Protection from birth: Expanding access to hepatitis B birth dose

WHO estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV) in 2022 and 1.3 million new infections each year. Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB-BD) vaccine, given within 24 hours after birth and followed by at least two subsequent doses, is approximately 90% effective at preventing perinatal HBV infection. By the end of 2023, only 17 countries in AFRO had introduced HepB BD; in EMRO, all but 5 countries have introduced the vaccine.

Since the launch of the Gavi HepB-BD vaccine programme in June 2024, 12 countries have been approved, with introductions planned for 2025 and 2026.

On October 1, WHO in collaboration with Gavi and other partners will conduct an interactive webinar to provide information to stakeholders in countries that plan to apply for Gavi support.

This webinar will: 

• Share WHO recommendations, guidance and tools for introducing HepB BD vaccine
• Share the global and regional Triple Elimination goals and targets
• Provide an update on the available Gavi support for countries to introduce HepB BD vaccine, including implications for countries moving into Gavi 6.0.
• Answer any questions or address concerns of countries/ Gavi teams and alliance partners on the new programme.

Interpretation in French will be available.

Register here: https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ArPqP2JCTLeT3WA-0zYSOA#/registration