A Guide for Introducing and Strengthening Hepatitis Birth Dose Vaccination 

Developed by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.

The guide includes:

• an overview of WHO recommendations, best practices, technical justification and strategic approaches relating to providing hepatitis B birth dose to newborns;
• operational requirements for introducing a vaccination that should be delivered as soon after birth as possible, preferably within 24 hours (and explicitly mentions false contraindications);
• information for policy discussions and operational strategies for the introduction of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination into a national immunization programme.

The document provides guidance for immunization managers and maternal child health partners seeking to introduce hepatitis B birth dose vaccination into their national immunization programmes, placing particular emphasis on the unique programmatic features of birth dose vaccination and the necessary integration with obstetric and post-natal care. The guide will also be helpful for countries that have already introduced HepB-BD but would like to improve coverage.