The Government has clarified that the hepatitis B vaccine for newborn babies is given immediately after birth and is not delayed until six months, stressing that the service is provided free of charge in all health facilities across the country.
The clarification was given in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Florence Samizi, when responding to a supplementary question from MP Aesh Hillary on behalf of MP Eric Shigongo.
The question sought to know whether the Government had plans to administer the vaccine earlier due to concerns about possible transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child after delivery.
Dr. Samizi explained that there are no official statistics showing an increase in mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in the country.
She added that the current vaccination schedule, which provides the dose immediately after birth, is based on approved medical and technical guidelines.
She further stressed that the hepatitis B vaccine is offered free of charge in all public health facilities, and parents are not required to pay any fee to access immunisation services for their children.
Dr. Samizi urged parents and guardians to ensure that newborns are taken to health facilities on time so they can receive all required vaccinations, saying the Government through the Ministry of Health, Tanzania remains committed to improving child health services and protecting children from preventable diseases.
