Vaccination Gains and Gaps: Hepatitis B Coverage in 2024

Positive strides were reported in 2024 as the third‑dose coverage for the hepatitis B vaccine reached 92 percent across the South‑East Asia region. The Maldives became the first country to receive WHO acknowledgment for eliminating mother‑to‑child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. Thailand and Sri Lanka were also recognized for similar achievements. Thailand has now incorporated hepatitis treatment into its universal health‑coverage scheme, while India reports notable improvements in maternal screening and hepatitis B immunisation. Bangladesh has expanded hepatitis services to humanitarian‑crisis zones such as the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, ensuring that even the most at‑risk groups receive care.