Ethiopia has officially launched the national introduction of the Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB BD) vaccine, marking a significant advancement in newborn immunization and efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the Hepatitis B virus. The initiative is supported technically and financially by the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and other immunization partners, reflecting a strong commitment to improving child health outcomes across the country.
Hepatitis B remains a critical public health challenge in Ethiopia, with mother-to-child transmission accounting for a large proportion of chronic infections. Studies indicate that up to 90% of infants infected at birth may develop lifelong disease. Timely administration of the birth dose vaccine, ideally within 24 hours of birth, is proven to significantly reduce lifelong infection and associated complications. Countries that have adopted this vaccine have reported sharp declines in childhood infection rates, highlighting its essential role in elimination strategies.
The rollout targets Ethiopia’s annual live birth cohort of approximately 3.8 million newborns, aiming for at least 80% national coverage. Preparation included a national-level Training of Trainers held in Adama, where over 100 Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Maternal and Child Health officers were trained to lead the regional implementation. Cascade trainings were then conducted across subnational levels with technical support from WHO, UNICEF, and other partners to ensure vaccine delivery, cold-chain management, data reporting, and overall service readiness.
Extensive technical assistance was provided by EPI taskforces, WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, which helped the Ministry of Health prioritize the HepB BD vaccine, produce evidence-based recommendations, and conduct pilot implementations in select districts. These pilots identified operational gaps and informed the design of a feasible national rollout. Standardized normative documents, including training manuals and technical inputs for funding applications to Gavi, were also developed. A recent National-level Readiness Assessment Tool score of 97% reflects Ethiopia’s preparedness and commitment to successful implementation.
State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma emphasized that the birth dose vaccine is critical to preventing lifelong Hepatitis B infections and highlighted the vaccine’s safety and importance. WHO Representative Dr. Francis Chisaka noted the initiative as a vital step in protecting newborns and ensuring healthier futures, while Gavi’s Senior Country Manager Emmanuella Baguma described the rollout as transformative for child health and immunization equity. UNICEF Representative Dr. Aboubacar Kampo underscored the importance of administering the vaccine within the first 24 hours of life to prevent chronic infections and their consequences.
WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi will continue supporting Ethiopia throughout the rollout, including ongoing supervision, technical assistance, and a Post Introduction Evaluation to monitor implementation and identify areas for improvement. This initiative represents a major milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward eliminating Hepatitis B and safeguarding the health of future generations.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership that has helped immunize over 1.2 billion children since 2000, preventing more than 20.6 million future deaths. The alliance focuses on protecting zero-dose children and strengthening health systems globally through innovative financing, technology, and vaccine stockpiles for deadly diseases, reinforcing its commitment to global health security.
