An article in The Lancet: Gastroenterology and Hepatology features Coalition Director, Dr. John Ward, as he provides context and hope for a new path forward now that Gavi has announced it will support implementation of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination:

“As the protection of infants around the world has improved through vaccination, the lack of that protection for newborns in Africa has only become more stark. We now have two out of every three new cases of chronic hepatitis B occurring among children in Africa, because they’re not receiving this hepatitis B vaccine," Ward said.

“With support from Gavi, countries can now decide for themselves what is really most important and most feasible. African countries can now commit to providing this lifesaving vaccine for their newborns and protect future generations in Africa from this deadly disease," he concluded.

Read the full article here (free login to access full text): 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(23)00273-X/fulltext

Read our Op Ed in Devex: "Here’s why Gavi must start hepatitis B vaccination in Africa"

Learn more about introducing hepatitis B birth dose in Africa with our toolkit.