Hepatitis B transmission from mothers to babies has been eliminated in England, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO elimination target is that less than 2% of babies born to mothers with hepatitis B go on to develop the infection.
And data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows the figure for England currently stands at 0.1%
The UKHSA said progress had been made in tackling the viral infection, which can cause liver damage, cancer and death if left untreated.
A six-in-one vaccine is offered to all babies on the NHS when they are eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are paving the way for the elimination of hepatitis B and C, with England set to be one of the first countries in the world to wipe out these viruses.”
Source: The Independent, 2 February 2023
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