Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a potentially deadly infection of the liver that kills about 500,000 to 700,000 people each year, mostly in developing countries. The virus is spread perinatally from an infected mother to her infant at birth, from child to child, through unsafe injections and transfusions, and through sexual contact. Currently, there is no effective treatment for the disease. Hepatitis B vaccines have been shown to be about 95 percent protective against the disease when used correctly.
More about hepatitis B | View resources on hepatitis B
Key resources
Hepatitis B Immunization Strategies: Timing is Everything (2009)
A
review of the evidence for long-term effectiveness of vaccination programs for infants and adolescents against hepatitis B.
All Kids Need Hepatitis B Shots (2008)
A brochure for parents
with information on hepatitis B and vaccines against the disease.
Worldwide Implementation of Hepatitis B Vaccination of Newborns, 2006 (2008)
An assessment of
the implementation of vaccination of newborns with hepatitis B vaccine by examination of data from the 2006 World Health Organization and UNICEF Joint Reporting Form.
Featured PATH resources
Advanced Immunization Management e-Learning Module: Hepatitis B (2009)
An e-learning module that
provides information on how to add hepatitis B vaccine to an immunization program and how to manage the addition of a new vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Introduction: Lessons Learned in Advocacy, Communication, and Training (2001)
A summary of lessons learned as a result of over ten years of experience introducing hepatitis B vaccine worldwide.
Page last updated: November 2009.
