Chronic hepatitis B is commonly the result of vertical transmission, and babies who are infected before they are one year old have a 90% risk of developing chronic hepatitis. Yet when administered within 24 hours of birth, the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine can prevent 75% to 95% of vertical transmission.

With funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, PATH is employing a mixed methods approach to assess learning questions on the feasibility, acceptability, cost, market access, and impact of innovative strategies to improve the reach of timely hepatitis B birth dose vaccine for babies born in both in- and out-of-facility settings.

By exploring innovative delivery strategies, assessing the role of community health systems, and understanding stakeholder perspectives, the project’s primary objective is to identify effective models for increasing hepatitis B birth dose coverage. Evidence and insights from this initiative will be applicable to countries planning for hepatitis B birth dose vaccine introduction as well as those seeking to deploy new strategies to increase coverage rates and timely administration within 24 hours of birth.