Beyond the Birth Dose: China's Strategic Push to Curb Hepatitis B

Beyond the birth dose: China's strategic push to curb Hepatitis B

On World Hepatitis Day 2026, China is expanding its viral hepatitis control strategy beyond high infant immunization rates to address adult screening gaps and life-cycle protection. Crucial to this progress is a rapid surge in domestic pharmaceutical innovation, highlighted by the approval of world-first therapies like an anti-hepatitis D antibody drug and a booming biotech export sector. Together with community-level healthcare reforms, these breakthroughs support both national control efforts and global progress toward the WHO's 2030 hepatitis elimination targets.

Beyond Hepatitis B and C: Why a comprehensive approach to viral hepatitis matters

India’s efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis have largely centred on hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), given their significant contribution to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. While this focus is justified, achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination targets will require a broader, health system-driven strategy. Hepatitis A (HAV), D (HDV) and E (HEV) continue to contribute to outbreaks, severe …