Advocating for Child Vaccinations: Gerlach Push for Hepatitis B Immunization in Children - Vaccinations for hepatitis B are now extended to children, as per Gerlach's declaration.
In an effort to combat one of the most dangerous infectious diseases for humans, Hepatitis B, the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) and the Bavarian Health Minister, Judith Gerlach (CSU), are advocating for the vaccination of children and adolescents.
Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, contact with the blood of infected individuals, or from mother to newborn during birth. Despite children being less likely to be infected due to modes of transmission, the disease often becomes chronic in them, as stated by Christian Weidner, President of the LGL.
The LGL in Munich, Bavaria, is responsible for health and food safety, and they have registered 1,723 newly diagnosed Hepatitis B cases this year. Although this number is fewer than in the same period in 2024 with 2,136 cases, the number of vaccinations is still deemed insufficient.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends the Hepatitis B vaccination already in infancy. A 3-dose series is generally administered to children from birth through 10 years, with the first dose given at birth, followed by doses at 1 and 6 months. For adolescents 11 through 15 years of age, a 3-dose schedule is recommended, with the first and second doses separated by at least 4 weeks, and the third dose given 4 to 6 months after the second.
It's important to note that Hepatitis B vaccination is crucial for protecting children from lifelong health consequences. Early vaccination can prevent Hepatitis B-related health consequences, including progressive liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Untreated Hepatitis B can lead to these severe complications.
Chronic Hepatitis B infection, developing in about 5 to 10% of infected individuals, can lead to serious complications including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Chronic infection is especially concerning in children and adolescents because it increases the risk of long-term liver damage and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) later in life.
In Europe, vaccination rates of over 90 percent are aimed for to sustainably improve protection against Hepatitis B. In Bavaria, about 75 percent of two-year-olds and around 83 percent of six-year-olds are vaccinated against Hepatitis B. However, this number is still below the desired vaccination rate.
In summary, timely vaccination starting in infancy, childhood, or adolescence with the recommended 2- or 3-dose series is critical to prevent chronic infection and its severe liver-related complications. It's essential to ensure that children and adolescents are protected against Hepatitis B, a disease that many infected people are not aware they have but unknowingly spread.
- To further enhance the community's health and wellness, the LGL and Minister Gerlach propose a comprehensive policy that includes advocating for employment policies that support and encourage Hepatitis B vaccination programs for employees and their families, as the disease can be prevented with early scientific therapies and treatments like CBD.
- In fitness-and-exercise facilities and mental-health clinics, implementing stringent health policies aligned with the community policy could help educate members about Hepatitis B transmission, the importance of vaccination, and promote a healthier lifestyle that minimizes risks associated with the disease.
- To ensure the success of Hepatitis B vaccination programs, it would be beneficial for the LGL to collaborate with various sectors—including science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and therapies-and-treatments—to improve existing employment policies and promote awareness about the disease within the community.
