The effects of a Hepatitis B vaccine given at birth on children's health in the DRC.
The impact of a Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine on HBV immunogenicity and incidence in children in the DRC
This study is looking at how giving the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can help protect them from getting the virus as they grow up, and it aims to gather information that could help improve vaccination practices in the country.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10893447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of administering a Hepatitis B vaccine at birth on the immune response and incidence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The study aims to assess the effectiveness of this early vaccination strategy, which could significantly reduce the number of newborns infected with HBV. By collaborating with local health authorities, the research seeks to provide valuable data that could influence national vaccination policies. The methodology includes monitoring the health outcomes of vaccinated infants over time to determine the vaccine's protective efficacy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns in the DRC, particularly those at risk of vertical transmission of Hepatitis B.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 4 weeks or those who have already been vaccinated against Hepatitis B will not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a significant reduction in chronic Hepatitis B infections among children in the DRC.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in other regions have shown that administering a birth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine can be highly effective, suggesting that this approach may also work in the DRC.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tulenko, Samantha — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Tulenko, Samantha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.