Canada's NACI Recommends Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination for All Infants
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends that all infants in Canada receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth or at their two-month immunization appointment, aiming to close gaps between provincial schedules and protect children during their most vulnerable period.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued a recommendation that all infants in Canada be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Under the new guidance, infants can receive the shot either within the first 24 hours of birth or at their first routine childhood immunization appointment at two months of age.
Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids, including during or after childbirth and through contact with items containing traces of blood. It is not transmitted by casual contact such as hugging or sharing utensils. The virus carries a high likelihood of becoming chronic in young children, particularly infants under one year old. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Currently, vaccination practices vary significantly across the country. Several Canadian jurisdictions — including British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and all three territories — already administer hepatitis B vaccinations in infancy. However, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland-Labrador do not vaccinate against the virus until students reach grades 6 or 7.
NACI states that early-life vaccination promotes health equity by ensuring protection during the period of greatest vulnerability to chronic infection. While transitioning to this uniform schedule will take time, existing hepatitis B vaccine programs have successfully reduced disease prevalence since their introduction. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B in Canada is estimated to be below two per cent, though rates are higher among certain vulnerable populations, such as those born outside of Canada in endemic regions.