The leading cause of liver cancer in China can be stopped by a safe and effective dose of hepatitis B vaccine given to a newborn infant on day of his or her birth. “This simple act of vaccination, followed by 2 more doses during infancy, will lead to lifelong protection from the deadly hepatitis B virus,” according to the World Health Organization Representative in China, Dr Bernhard Schwartländer.
Celebrating the World Immunization Week that falls on April 24-30 this year, WHO reminded parents of the importance of protecting children through timely immunization. The theme for the WHO Western Pacific Region is “Stop Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer – Vaccinate at Birth.”
China has made great progress against hepatitis B in the past two decades. This year, WHO recognized China’s successes in the fight against hepatitis B by giving an award to the Chinese government for reducing the rate of chronic hepatitis B infection by 90% among children less than 5 years of age, compared with the pre-vaccine era.
Hepatitis B, however, remains a very serious challenge in China. Every day in China, approximately 3,500 babies are born to mothers with chronic hepatitis B. A baby born to a mother with chronic hepatitis B will most likely get infected and become a lifelong carrier of hepatitis B virus. But the newborn baby can be rescued from this fate by a timely birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
“We need to build upon that remarkable success by ensuring that every baby born in China is fully protected with hepatitis B vaccine,” said Dr Schwartländer. “This generation of children and future generations can grow up virtually free from risk of hepatitis B thanks to hepatitis B vaccines that are made in China.”
Vaccines that are produced and used in China are known to be safe and effective, according to WHO, which has verified the high quality of government inspection and regulation of vaccine production in China.
Vaccination is the safest way to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases. Terrible diseases like polio, measles, tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria have been eliminated or brought under control by vaccines. Very few parents have seen these diseases, but they all still exist in the world today and are only a plane ride away. All children still need protection from these diseases, even though they are uncommon.
Parents should make sure that their child is up-to-date on all of the recommended vaccines. If you are not sure, check with your child’s immunization provider to see if any vaccines are due.
WHO infographic - Demand Vaccines
For more information, please contact:
Ms WU Linlin
WHO China Office
E-mail: wul@wpro.who.int
Office Tel: +86 10 6532 7191