Implementing a national policy for hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in Philippines: lessons for improved delivery.

Background: An estimated seven million Filipinos (10-12% of the population) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Achieving high birth dose coverage with hepatitis B vaccine is critical for achieving the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional goal of reducing the prevalence of chronic HBV among children 5 years of age to <2% by 2012.

Methods: Seven months after the Philippines adopted a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose policy, hospitals with the highest number of deliveries were invited to participate in an assessment of implementation of the birth dose policy.