02 June 2025

Your Excellency, Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population of Egypt,

Distinguished officials,

Representatives of the Egyptian Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance,

Colleagues and Partners,

On behalf of the World Health Organization, I extend my warmest congratulations to Egypt for becoming the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve the regional target for hepatitis B control, as set by the Regional Committee Resolution EM/RC56/R.5 (2009).

This recognition follows a rigorous review led by the independent Regional Validation Committee (RVC).

Based on robust and verifiable data, the RVC concluded that Egypt has indeed met the regional target, supported by the following key indicators:

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence among children aged 5 years and older is below 1 per cent;

Third-dose hepatitis B vaccine coverage maintained at 90 per cent or higher for over a decade;

And birth dose coverage has exceeded 90 per cent for at least five years.

These achievements are a testament to your leadership, sustained investment, and steadfast commitment to public health.

I commend Your Excellency, the Ministry of Health and Population, and the dedicated teams driving Egypt’s national immunization and hepatitis control programmes.

Egypt’s success represents not only a national achievement, but a regional milestone—a powerful example of what is possible when science, policy, and public trust align.

Through your strong Expanded Programme on Immunization, you have significantly reduced vaccine-preventable diseases, improved child survival, and strengthened health systems—culminating in the elimination of measles and rubella.

WHO stands ready to support you in introducing additional life-saving vaccines to protect against rotavirus, human papillomavirus, pneumococcus bacteria, and other deadly pathogens.

Moreover, the establishment of the Egyptian Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance (EVMA) signifies a bold step toward self-reliance, vaccine innovation, and equitable access. This is crucial for sustaining high coverage and ensuring timely, affordable vaccines for all.

But this success is not the end—it is a beginning. With continued commitment, Egypt is well-positioned to move from control to elimination of hepatitis B as a public health threat.

I urge other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to draw inspiration from Egypt’s journey. With determined leadership, evidence-based strategies, and inclusive partnerships, we can achieve similar milestones.

Once again, congratulations Egypt.