King Abdulaziz Hospital urges hepatitis B vaccination to prevent infection

King Abdulaziz Hospital in Makkah, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, has emphasized the importance of hepatitis B vaccination to protect children and ensure community safety.

The hospital's official account on X stated that the virus is transmitted through exposure to blood or contaminated body fluids, and that effective prevention is possible through vaccination and following safe health practices.

The hospital confirmed that hepatitis B vaccination helps prevent infection, protects the liver from complications, and supports long-term health for both individuals and the community.

The hospital urged the public to complete all recommended vaccinations and not to leave this to chance, in order to safeguard the health of individuals, families, and society.

Hepatitis B

According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

The virus is most often transmitted from mother to child during birth, in early childhood, through contact with blood or other body fluids, during unprotected sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections, or exposure to sharp instruments.

WHO estimates in 2024 indicated that 240 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B infection, with 0.9 million new cases each year.

In 2024, hepatitis B was estimated to have caused 1.1 million deaths, mostly due to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Hepatitis B can be prevented with safe, available, and effective vaccines.

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