By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, Senior Health Promotion Officer – HEP/MoH
For an estimated 355,363 children expected to be born in Sierra Leone, the first days of life could soon bring more than a new beginning—they could bring protection against a virus capable of causing lifelong liver disease and cancer.
The Ministry of Health is preparing to introduce the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine in November 2026, marking a significant new step in the country’s efforts to prevent Hepatitis B infection and protect children from mother-to-child transmission.
Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Ministry of Health, Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai, described the introduction as an important milestone for child health in Sierra Leone.
“The introduction of the Hepatitis B birth dose in November 2026 is a significant milestone for Sierra Leone. Our priority is to ensure that every newborn has the opportunity to receive this life-saving vaccine as early as possible after birth,” Dr. Kangbai said.
Hepatitis B is often described as a silent infection because an infected person may show few or no symptoms for years. However, infection acquired at birth or during early childhood carries a much higher risk of becoming chronic and can eventually lead to severe liver disease and liver cancer.
The World Health Organization recommends that all infants receive their first Hepatitis B vaccine dose as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. The early dose is particularly important in preventing infection transmitted from mother to child around the time of delivery.
Sierra Leone’s planned introduction will target an estimated 355,363 live births, with a national ambition to reach at least 95 percent of eligible newborns. Every child born in Sierra Leone will be eligible for the birth dose. The vaccine will be incorporated into existing maternal, newborn and child health services, particularly in labour rooms and postnatal wards, where trained professional nurses will administer it.
The intervention will also provide an opportunity to strengthen antenatal education, allowing expectant mothers and families to learn about Hepatitis B and the importance of ensuring that their newborn receives the vaccine immediately after birth.
Dr. Kangbai called for strong community support to ensure that the introduction reaches its intended population.
“We want parents, caregivers and community leaders to understand that the Hepatitis B birth dose is part of giving every child a healthy start in life. We are calling on families to ensure that their newborns receive the vaccine as recommended,” he said.
The Hepatitis B vaccine has been available for decades and is highly effective. Completion of the recommended three-dose series provides approximately 98–100 percent protection against infection, with protection lasting for at least 20 years and potentially for life.
The introduction comes as Africa continues to carry a disproportionate burden of Hepatitis B, accounting for an estimated 70 percent of infections globally. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, birth-dose vaccination coverage has remained low across much of the continent.
For Sierra Leone, the November 2026 introduction represents more than the addition of another vaccine to the immunization programme. It is an investment in preventing avoidable illness and deaths among children and in protecting future generations.
The programme will also be integrated with essential newborn care and other routine immunization services, creating opportunities to improve access to additional birth interventions.
For the estimated 355,363 children, the numbers represent more than a national target. Each figure represents a newborn, a family and a future that deserves protection. As Sierra Leone prepares for the November launch, the message is simple: One dose at birth can provide a lifetime protection. Protect every newborn. Prevent Hepatitis B. Save the next generation.
