Hepatitis: Adults Born Before 2004 Should Get Tested, Vaccinated – Gastroenterologist

A consultant gastroenterologist at Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Justice Igbiti, has urged Nigerians born before 2004 to get tested and vaccinated against Hepatitis B, warning that many missed routine childhood immunisation and remain vulnerable to the viral infection.

Speaking during an outreach organised by Garki Hospital to commemorate the 2026 World Hepatitis Day in Garki Village, Abuja, on Tuesday, Igbiti said Nigeria has made significant progress in protecting newborns against Hepatitis B since the vaccine was incorporated into the National Programme on Immunisation.

He, however, noted that many older Nigerians born before the vaccine was introduced remain largely unprotected.

Speaking under the 2026 World Hepatitis Day theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” he urged adults in that category to get tested and vaccinated to reduce the burden of the disease.

The federal government officially incorporated the Hepatitis B vaccine into the National Programme on Immunisation (NPI) in 2004, making it part of the routine vaccines administered to newborns.

“Most of us who were born before 2004 did not have these benefits. We were not vaccinated or immunised at birth. We need to address this population that did not get vaccinated. All adults should get tested, and those who are eligible should be vaccinated,” he said.

He said ensuring that every newborn receives the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth while expanding vaccination among unprotected adults will significantly reduce the country’s hepatitis burden over time.

“If we succeed in vaccinating children at birth and encourage adults who missed routine immunisation to get tested and vaccinated, we will eventually have a generation that is no longer at risk of Hepatitis B,” he added.

The specialist also called for intensified awareness campaigns to improve public understanding of hepatitis, noting that many infected persons do not seek medical attention because they mistake the disease’s early symptoms for malaria.

“Hepatitis in its acute stage often presents with fever, body weakness and joint pains, which many people assume is malaria. By the time the symptoms disappear, some believe they have recovered, whereas the infection may have progressed to the chronic stage,” he explained.

He identified poor health-seeking behaviour, limited access to screening in rural communities and vaccine hesitancy as major obstacles to hepatitis control in Nigeria.

“Our outreach programmes need to go deeper into underserved communities. Many people are yet to be reached, while others are reluctant to take blood tests or complete their vaccination because of misconceptions,” he said.

Igbiti stressed that completing the recommended Hepatitis B vaccine doses provides long-term protection, noting that the three-dose regimen can offer immunity for more than 30 years.

He added that healthcare workers and other high-risk groups could periodically assess their immunity through antibody titre testing to determine whether they remain protected.

On Hepatitis C, the gastroenterologist noted that although no vaccine exists, the disease is curable if detected early before it causes significant liver damage.

He said the objective of hepatitis screening and follow-up is to prevent complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer through early diagnosis and timely intervention.

“Not everyone who tests positive requires immediate treatment. We evaluate each patient to determine the risk and monitor them regularly to ensure the disease does not progress to liver failure or cancer,” he said.

He urged parents to ensure children receive the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and complete the routine immunisation schedule, while encouraging adults who have never been screened to know their hepatitis status.