… New-born babies could soon receive stronger protection against hepatitis B and future liver-related illnesses.
… Government plans to introduce the vaccine as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
EZULWINI- Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Health, is preparing to introduce the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus and reduce future cases of chronic liver disease and liver cancer in the country.
The Ministry of Health revealed that the country was eager to introduce the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, which is administered within 24 hours after birth and is regarded by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most effective interventions against perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus.
Senior Medical Officer for Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adman Shabangu, made the remarks during the official opening of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Capacity Building Workshop held at Bethel Court on May 19, 2026.
Dr. Shabangu said the planned rollout formed part of the ministry’s broader commitment to strengthening the national immunisation programme in line with global health recommendations and national public health priorities.
Few African Countries
Few African countries have introduced the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine despite WHO recommendations.
“Eswatini is eager to introduce this important intervention as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and reduce the burden of chronic liver disease and liver cancer in the future.”
According to WHO recommendations, the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, when administered within 24 hours after birth and followed by at least two additional doses, is about 90 per cent effective in preventing transmission of the virus from mother to child.
Dr. Shabangu said strong technical guidance from the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group would be critical in supporting the successful introduction of the vaccine and other future immunisation interventions.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. It is mainly transmitted from mother to child during birth, through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, or through unsafe medical procedures. If not prevented or treated, the infection can lead to long-term complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Expanding Immunisation
He also announced that the ministry was looking forward to extending Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to boys to strengthen protection against HPV-related diseases and contribute towards the elimination of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers.
The senior public health official commended NITAG members for their dedication and expertise in guiding the country on critical immunisation decisions, including the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine and the rollout of the HPV vaccine in 2023, which was expanded to girls aged 15 to 20 in 2025.
Partnerships and Goals
He said the country’s immunisation programme continued to make progress because of strong partnerships with organisations such as the World Health Organization and technical experts from NISH, who continue to support Eswatini’s health systems and capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Shabangu further praised the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) team for its resilience and commitment to improving vaccine coverage and reaching underserved communities despite operational challenges.
“As a country, we remain committed to achieving the goals of Immunization Agenda 2030, which envisions a world where everyone, everywhere and at every age fully benefits from vaccines for good health and wellbeing,” he said.
He encouraged workshop participants to actively engage and strengthen collaboration in order to build a credible and functional NITAG capable of providing independent, evidence-based recommendations for the country’s immunisation programme.
Hope for Future Generations
Health experts attending the workshop expressed optimism that the planned introduction of the Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine would strengthen Eswatini’s fight against preventable diseases and improve long-term public health outcomes for future generations.
#Eswatini#MinistryOfHealth#HepatitisB#Vaccines#Immunization
(Courtesy Pic)
