Abuja, June 24, 2026 — A former Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, has called on communities to prioritise hepatitis B vaccination as a key measure for preventing infection and reducing long-term health complications.
He said hepatitis B continues to pose a serious public health challenge despite progress made in preventing and managing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday on emerging developments in sexual health prevention, Anyaike noted that new interventions such as Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) and injectable Lenacapavir should not shift attention away from hepatitis B prevention efforts.
He stressed that although these innovations represent major advances in HIV and STI control, they do not offer protection against hepatitis B infection.
According to him, hepatitis B remains a leading cause of liver disease and death globally, even though an effective vaccine has been available for years.
He emphasised that vaccination remains the most reliable protection against the virus and its complications, urging the public not to confuse newer preventive tools with comprehensive protection.
Anyaike also highlighted that hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual contact, making immunisation an essential part of sexual and reproductive health services.
He expressed concern that many people are either unaware of their infection status or have not completed the recommended vaccination schedule.
The health expert warned that individuals moving from oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to injectable prevention options may lose incidental protection against hepatitis B if they are not vaccinated.
He recommended that every contact with sexual and reproductive health services should include opportunities for screening, vaccination, HIV prevention, and STI testing.
Anyaike further called for intensified public education to improve awareness of how hepatitis B spreads, how it can be prevented, and the importance of early diagnosis.
He urged governments, healthcare providers, and development partners to integrate hepatitis B vaccination into existing HIV and STI programmes for a more coordinated response.
He added that expanding access to vaccines and strengthening community engagement would help reduce infections, especially among vulnerable populations.
Health authorities note that the World Health Organization estimates hepatitis B is responsible for about 1.1 million deaths annually, largely due to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, with prevention through vaccination seen as central to global elimination efforts.