WHO supporting Ethiopia with introduction of new childhood vaccines(ReliefWeb | 10 February 2006) - Hib and hep B Source: World Health Organization (WHO) Life saving vaccines against hepatitis B (Hep B) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) will soon be introduced in Ethiopia. These vaccines have been used in many countries for some time. However, despite a high disease burden of these vaccine preventable diseases, Ethiopian children have not had access to these important vaccines. As early as July 2006 vaccination against Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b will be included in the routine childhood vaccination series along with vaccines to prevent tuberculosis (BCG), diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus (DPT), measles, and polio (OPV). Hep B and Hib vaccines will be provided along with DPT in a single injection. This combination vaccine of DPT-HepB-Hib will be provided to unvaccinated children less than one year of age. Ideally the vaccine should be administered at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age. Acute viral hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) account for 12% of hospital admissions and 31% of hospital mortality on medical wards in Ethiopia. When infected at birth, a child has a 90% chance of becoming a chronic carrier of Hepatitis B virus. Often these children die during infancy or childhood. Infection with Hepatitis B after age 5, however, leads to chronic Hepatitis B infection in only 5% of the cases. Haemophilus influenzae type b is also a serious threat to Ethiopian children. Hib is the pre-dominant cause of meningitis and pneumonia among children in Ethiopia. The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia with the support of the WHO Country Office has been exerting efforts to gain support to avail these vaccines to Ethiopian children. To this end, over the last two years steps have been taken to assess the burden of morbidity and mortality posed by Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b. An assessment of the cold chain storage capacity has been undertaken to ensure there is adequate capacity to accommodate the new vaccines at central and regional level. Two prefabricated cold rooms have been purchased and installed in Addis Ababa and Mekelle. Two additional cold rooms will be installed in DireDawa and Nekempt to enhance the regional vaccine storage capacity. Final steps are underway for the introduction and utilization of these essential vaccines. For Further Information, please contact WHO Ethiopia at +251-11-551-4031/+251-91-123-3903/+251-91-120-0765; or by e-mail at yemesracht@et.afro.who.int or asnakewy@et.afro.who.int
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