Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, presented a Certificate of Validation of Hepatitis B Control Targets to the Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan, Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, on 15 November at a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov during a working visit to the country.
The certificate, signed by Dr Ole Wichmann, Chair of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts (ETAGE), was presented in recognition of Kyrgyzstan’s achievement of the regional targets for hepatitis B control set out in the Regional action plans for ending AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, together with a letter recognizing this achievement.
Through this achievement, Kyrgyzstan has made a significant contribution to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the WHO European Region.
“I join ETAGE and the WHO Secretariat in commending Kyrgyzstan’s significant achievements with hepatitis B control. I urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure that high vaccination coverage and effective prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B are maintained in the future.” – Dr Kluge expressed his gratitude.
Kyrgyzstan has implemented universal newborn hepatitis B vaccination since 2001 and has consistently reported high coverage with the vaccine. The country also provides hepatitis B vaccination for risk groups and health-care workers.
In 2022, Kyrgyzstan conducted a nationwide hepatitis B serological survey, which demonstrated that the vaccination programme was successful in virtually eliminating chronic hepatitis B in children and adolescents born after its introduction.
WHO emphasizes that immunization is the most effective way to protect children from many dangerous (and sometimes deadly) infections. Without immunization, people are at risk of serious diseases, such as hepatitis, measles, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus and polio. Many of these diseases are life-threatening. It is important that as many people as possible immunize themselves and their children.