Archive · 27 May 2025
India's Health Ministry Calls for Timely Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine
Imagine tiny germs called Hepatitis B that can hurt your liver.
These germs can sometimes pass from a mom to her baby during birth.
The government wants to stop this from happening.
They are asking all pregnant women to get tested to see if they have the germs.
If a mom has Hepatitis B, she should deliver at a hospital.
All newborns need a special shot within a day of being born to protect them.
Babies whose mothers have Hepatitis B also need another medicine.
The government provides these tests and vaccines for free.
They want to keep everyone healthy!
The Ministry of Health urges timely Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns.
Pregnant women should be tested for Hepatitis B at healthcare facilities.
Women testing positive for Hepatitis B should deliver at healthcare facilities.
Newborns should receive a Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
Testing, vaccines, and HBIG are available for free at government healthcare facilities.
- Who
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.
- What
- The Ministry of Health is urging for Hepatitis B prevention through vaccination and screening.
- When
- The initiative is ongoing, with recommendations for timely vaccination.
- Where
- Across India, at all designated government healthcare facilities.
- Why
- To prevent mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and improve public health.
- Ministry
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India
- Target Group
- Pregnant women and newborns
- Vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Testing
- Mandatory for all pregnant women
- Helpline
- 1800-11-6666 (national toll-free)