Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination among Vietnamese Children: Implications for the Expanded Program on Immunization

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Assesses the prevalence of the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine birth dose among Vietnamese children.
• Investigates socioeconomic factors associated with HepB birth dose vaccination coverage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the national coverage of the HepB vaccine birth dose in Vietnam.
• To identify disparities in HepB birth dose vaccination based on socioeconomic factors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.
• Estimated HepB birth dose vaccination percentages across various child and maternal characteristics.
• Employed multiple logistic regression analysis to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Overall HepB vaccine birth dose coverage was 62.8%.
• Lower prevalence rates were observed in children with low birth weight, mothers under 20, mothers with limited education, ethnic minorities, and those in rural areas or lower socioeconomic quintiles.
• Vaccination was significantly associated with birth weight, maternal age, education, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

Conclusions:

• Identified key vulnerable populations with suboptimal HepB birth dose vaccine uptake.
• Highlights the need for targeted policies to improve equitable and sustainable HepB birth dose vaccination coverage.
• Emphasizes the importance of achieving full vaccination coverage for long-lasting herd immunity.