Moldova: Free hepatitis B vaccine for high-risk adults
Adults at high risk of Hepatitis B infection in Moldova will receive free vaccinations after the National Public Health Agency's (NPHA) warehouse received a batch of 4,800 doses.
The National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) is allocating 250,000 lei from its preventative measures fund for the purchase.
"The vaccine was delivered on time and meets contractual specifications," the NHIC announced. "The consignment included all necessary documents confirming quality and the maintenance of a continuous cold chain throughout its transportation, including certificates of conformity and origin, as well as the manufacturer's testing protocol."
Representatives added that more than 615,000 lei has been budgeted this year for the fund to procure 13,800 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
The jabs are intended for adults who face an elevated risk of infection, aiming to curb the spread of the disease within the community.
According to specialists, Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that affects the liver. After becoming ill, some people remain virus carriers for many years, even after recovery, and can thus transmit the infection to others. Hepatitis B is transmitted directly through blood or various bodily secretions and can cause cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Before the immunisation drive began, the incidence of Hepatitis B in Moldova was among the highest in Europe, with a high impact on children under two years of age. Over ten years of universal infant vaccination, the incidence among children under six years of age was reduced by 99.9%. By 2022, 34 generations of children and young people were protected against Hepatitis B and D at a rate of 95–99%.
Since 2008, the overall incidence of Hepatitis B has been below five cases per 100,000 population, and in children, less than one case per 100,000.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
