Hepatitis B around the world
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Hepatitis B around the world
Hepatitis B is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is the leading cause of liver cancer.
Hepatitis B transmission from mother to child is the leading cause of chronic infection.
If not vaccinated, 9 in 10 children infected with HBV at birth will progress to chronic infections.
The percentage of newborns given the shot of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth in each region:
- Americas – 69%
- Africa – 4% (2018; same for 2017)
- Europe – 41%
- Eastern Mediterranean – 34%
- South East Asia – 44%
- Western Pacific – 85%
The African Region has the highest number of hepatitis B infections in children and the fewest newborn given the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Vaccinating babies within 24 hours after birth followed by 2-3 vaccinations in infancy is the key to eliminating HBV infections.
Learn more about CDC’s global immunization efforts: www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/
