Related Experiment Videos
[A plea for introduction of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in Côte d'Ivoire]
Insights
Côte d'Ivoire recommended birth hepatitis B vaccination within the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This strategy aims to reduce mother-to-child transmission and improve infant health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis B poses a significant health burden in Côte d'Ivoire.
- Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B is a key concern.
- Existing immunization programs require strategic evaluation for new vaccine introductions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and impact of introducing hepatitis B vaccination at birth into Côte d'Ivoire's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for hepatitis B control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature.
- Analysis of hepatitis B burden, mother-to-child transmission, and vaccination impact in comparable settings.
- Evaluation of vaccine efficacy, safety, cost-effectiveness, and optimal introduction strategy.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B vaccination at birth is effective and safe for newborns.
- Introduction into the EPI is deemed cost-effective.
- A strategy involving a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine alongside the pentavalent vaccine at 6, 10, and 14 weeks is recommended.
Conclusions:
- The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group recommended the introduction of hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
- This recommendation supports strengthening the national immunization program and reducing the hepatitis B disease burden.
- Integration with the existing pentavalent vaccine schedule ensures comprehensive infant immunization.
Abstract:
The Côte d'Ivoire National Immunization Technical Advisory Group 2015 work plan included elaboration of an opinion on inclusion of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Côte d'Ivoire. A task force was set up to conduct this assessment according to a systematized method. The task force analysed scientific articles on the burden of hepatitis B in Côte d'Ivoire, the burden of mother-child transmission, the impact of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in countries which have adopted this strategy, the efficacy and safety of hepatitis B vaccine in newborns, the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination at birth, and the best strategy to introduce hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the EPI. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group of Côte d'Ivoire finally recommended introduction of a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth in the context of the Expanded Program on Immunization with maintenance of three doses of pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.