Prevention of hepatitis B by vaccination of infants within 24 hours of birth. Photo: M2mtas.
In 2006 a number of deaths after hepatitis B vaccination but not related to vaccines, many hospitals have stopped vaccinations baby after birth. Consequently, to date vaccination coverage dropped to about 20%, compared with 60% previously.
Accordingly, persons infected with hepatitis B virus in the Western Pacific region accounts for nearly half of this virus worldwide. While most countries in the region has reduced the rate of hepatitis B virus infection in children less than 2% lower, Vietnam has not been reached.
The main reason is because vaccination coverage is low. Large number of births at home, causing difficulties in the supply of vaccines and other health care professionals.
According to the expanded vaccination program countries, hepatitis B vaccine to infants within 24 hours of birth has reached more than 60% in 2005. But in 2008 this percentage dropped to 25%.
The rate of infants are vaccinated in the north to about 13% and 18% south. Meanwhile, in Vietnam to 10-20% of the population infected with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most often caused by a virus. There are five types of virus are A, B, C, D and E. Which hepatitis A and E usually caused by eating food or drinking contaminated water. The remaining 3 patients because of exposure to body fluids infected with diseases such as transfusion of infected people, the medical procedures using contaminated instruments.
Hepatitis B is a preventable disease at birth by the vaccine. Vaccines can prevent infection even after exposure to the virus. The disease can be transmitted from mother to child, between family members and through sexual contact.
