Brazil meets hepatitis B elimination targets

What target did Brazil achieve on hepatitis B?

Brazil confirmed that fewer than 0.1% of children under five years old had an active HBV infection over the last two years. The exact prevalence of mother-to-child transmission recorded in 2025 was just 0.0111%, well below the international threshold of 0.1%.

What certification is Brazil now seeking?

Following this achievement, the Brazilian government formally requested international certification of elimination of vertical transmission of hepatitis B from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

How strong is Brazil's vaccination coverage?

The Ministry of Health reported that HBV vaccination coverage within the first hours of life reached 97% in 2024 and 100% in 2025, surpassing the international benchmark of at least 90%. Prenatal follow-up coverage also exceeded 98% between 2024 and 2025, above the 95% target.

What measures made this possible?

• Routine hepatitis B testing during prenatal care
• Antiviral treatment to reduce transmission risk during pregnancy when needed
• HBV vaccination preferably within the first 12 hours of life
• Administration of immunoglobulin (HBIG) to newborns of HBV-positive mothers

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha credited the recovery of investment in primary healthcare as decisive: "Without strong primary healthcare rooted in communities, it is not possible to eliminate infectious diseases."

What comes next for Brazil?

In December 2025, Brazil had already obtained international certification for eliminating vertical transmission of HIV. The country is committed to achieving the same for syphilis, Chagas disease, and HTLV by 2030. Padilha noted that eliminating vertical syphilis transmission remains challenging not due to a lack of technology, but because of the social vulnerability that exposes women to reinfection during pregnancy.