The Ministry of Health in Rwanda announced the inclusion of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in the national vaccination program, so that every newborn receives the dose within 24 hours of birth.
This decision comes within the framework of the state’s efforts to reduce transmission of infection from mother to child and enhance the protection of future generations from chronic diseases.
The Ministry confirmed that this step is consistent with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which stresses the importance of early dose to prevent infection, noting that children infected with the virus at birth are at a 95% risk of developing chronic hepatitis, which increases the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer later.
The adoption of a birth dose against hepatitis B is part of a comprehensive national plan that aims to eliminate the disease as a threat to public health in the coming years by strengthening awareness programs and examinations for pregnant mothers and expanding the scope of routine vaccinations.
With this decision, Rwanda places itself at the forefront of African countries that adopt strict preventive policies to protect newborns and ensure a safer, healthier future.
