Monitoring the impact of hepatitis B vaccination

Most people living with hepatitis B in the population are asymptomatic. Since these chronic infections are rarely apparent, especially in childhood, surveys that collect and test blood specimens are required in order to estimate the number of infected persons. Measuring these seroprevalence rates among vaccinated cohorts is critical for monitoring the impact of hepatitis B vaccination.

The South-East Region has begun to collect seroprevalence data from a number of countries to more accurately determine the current burden of disease among children and measure progress toward the 2020 control goal of less than 1%.

• Best practices for conducting a hepatitis B serosurvey