1. Progress towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus -- Region of the Americas, 20122022.
- Author
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Alleman, Mary M., Soares Sereno, Leandro, Whittembury, Alvaro, Xi Li, Contreras, Marcela, Pacis-Tirso, Carmelita, Velandia Gonzalez, Martha, Broome, Karen, Jones, Sandra, Salas, Daniel, Alonso, Monica, Tohme, Rania A., and Wasley, Annemarie
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HEPATITIS B transmission , *HEPATITIS B prevention , *VIRAL hepatitis , *DISEASE eradication , *STRATEGIC planning , *VACCINATION coverage , *VERTICAL transmission (Communicable diseases) , *HEPATITIS B , *GOVERNMENT programs , *HEALTH promotion , *ORGANIZATIONAL goals , *VACCINES - Abstract
In 2022, an estimated 5 million persons in the WHO Region of the Americas (AMR) were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis worldwide. Most chronic infections are acquired through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) or horizontal transmission during childhood and are preventable with HBV vaccination, including a birth dose (HepB-BD), followed by 2--3 additional doses (HepB3) in infancy. The aim of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Elimination of MTCT of HBV strategy (EMTCT Plus) is intented to reduce the prevalence of chronic HBV infection (measured as hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]) among children to ≤0.1% by achieving 1) ≥95% coverage with HepB-BD and HepB3 and 2) increasing HBsAg testing among pregnant women and provision of hepatitis B immunoglobulin to HBV-exposed neonates to ≥80%. By 2012, all 51 countries and territories (countries) in the AMR had provided HepB3 nationwide; and, by 2021, 34 (67%) had provided HepB-BD nationwide. Mathematical models were used to estimate that the HBsAg prevalence in children is ≤0.1% in 14 (28%) countries and at regional level. Three (6%) of 51 countries met the 95% coverage targets for both HepB3 and HepB-BD during both 2021 and 2022. Of these, 2 have probably met the criteria for EMTCT of HBV infection. In 2022, however, HepB3 coverage was ≥10 percentage points lower in 15 (37%) of 41 countries with 2012 coverage data for comparison. These decreases in HepB3 coverage and the absence of HepB-BD from the routine immunization schedules in 17 countries threaten the Region's progress towards the EMTCT of HBV infection. Efforts to introduce HepB-BD and to maintain high HepB3 and HepB-BD coverage are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024