Türkiye begins domestic formulation, filling of Hepatitis A vaccine

ANKARA

Türkiye has successfully launched the first local formulation and filling process for the Hepatitis A vaccine, marking a key step in the country’s efforts to expand its local vaccine production capacity, the Health Ministry has announced.

Officials said the locally processed vaccine has already been distributed nationwide and is being used across all of the country’s 81 provinces.

The Hepatitis A vaccine protects against the Hepatitis A virus, which primarily spreads through contaminated food and water and can cause liver infection. The vaccine helps the body build immunity, preventing illness and reducing the risk of outbreaks.

Under Türkiye’s expanding immunization program, vaccines are routinely administered against 13 diseases, including measles, polio, tuberculosis and Hepatitis A and B.

A six-component combination vaccine introduced in April last year also continues to be used in childhood immunization. It protects against six diseases, including diphtheria and Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis A was added to the national vaccination schedule in 2012. Since then, the incidence of the disease has dropped significantly, falling below the European average and reaching one of the lowest levels globally, according to the ministry.

Türkiye is continuing its efforts to domestically produce all vaccines included in its national immunization schedule, with particular focus on vaccines such as rabies.

Vaccination services are provided free of charge for most routine immunizations at family health centers, hospitals and specialized public health facilities across the country.