Newborns to receive Hepatitis B vaccinations from October

Starting in October, all newborns will receive the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine at birth. Dr. Kwame Amponsah-Achiano, Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), announced this.

The vaccine aims to reduce mother-to-child HBV transmission. It will be given within 24 hours of birth.

Dr. Amponsah-Achiano spoke at a National Hepatitis B birth dose forum in Accra. This event allowed stakeholders to provide input on the government's Hepatitis B birth dose programme.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Hepatitis Foundation of Ghana co-hosted the forum. Dr. Amponsah-Achiano explained that this programme is part of GHS's commitment to combat Hepatitis B and improve public health by 2030.

He assured that the government is ready to roll out HBV vaccinations for newborns within 24 hours. The Ministry of Health has developed a plan for Ghana to self-finance immunisation programmes by 2030, as it transitions from GAVI support.

Dr. Amponsah-Achiano mentioned updates to the country's immunisation policy and EPI Field Guide to include Hepatitis B vaccines. The Ministry of Health also updated data recording tools for this vaccination.

Additionally, an application submitted to GAVI for introducing the "Hepatitis B birth dose into routine immunisation programmes" has been approved.

"Hepatitis B vaccine is not new," he said. "We are now introducing it for newborns to prevent mother-to-child transmission."

This initiative has been planned for many years, but now they have approval to proceed with it. This aligns with World Health Organisation recommendations for three doses, including a birth dose.

Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of GHS, emphasized immunisation's importance in reducing mother-to-child HBV transmission. He highlighted the need for collective expertise and resources to achieve successful immunisation against HBV in babies.