Key facts

The World Health Organization (WHO) certified Denmark as the first European Union (EU) country to eliminate mother-to-child vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis. This means that the number of infections transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy has virtually been reduced to zero.

“Denmark’s achievement shows that with strong political will and continued investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services, we can protect all pregnant women and newborns from disease,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

This certification was achieved through evaluation by the WHO European Regional Verification Committee in June 2025 and the Global Verification Advisory Committee (GVAC) in August. From 2021 to 2024, Denmark met all required standards, including ▲less than 50 new infant infections per 100,000 live births and ▲more than 95% of prenatal screening and treatment of pregnant women.

Why is this important?

Combating vertical infection is not just about achieving numbers. This is an indicator that proves that a country's entire public health system—prenatal care, testing infrastructure, access to treatment, and data management capacity—is functioning holistically.

“Eradication means testing and treating at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women and keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 live births each year,” said Dr. Hans-Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Denmark has achieved this standard through strong prenatal care, reliable data systems and respect for women’s human rights.”

Denmark's Minister of the Interior and Health, Sophie Röde, said, "A universal health system that guarantees equal access to all is the foundation of this achievement," and emphasized, "It is an honor and responsibility to be the first EU country to achieve this."

When did this trend start?

Since 2014, WHO has been promoting the 'Triple Elimination' program for mother-to-child vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. It all started in 2015 when Cuba became the first country in the world to be certified as a country that eradicates vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Since then, Asian countries such as Thailand (2016), Malaysia (2018), and Sri Lanka (2019) have also received certification. To date, 23 countries and territories around the world have been certified or are on a path to eliminating vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B.

Denmark is the first EU member state to join this group, and is working further toward 'triple eradication' certification, including hepatitis B.

Future outlook [AI analysis]

Denmark's success offers implications in several aspects.

Possible spread within the EU: Denmark's model—universal access to healthcare, systematic prenatal care, and data-based monitoring—is likely to become a clear roadmap that other EU countries can use as a reference. It is expected that countries with similar health systems, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, will follow suit.

Implications for Korea: Korea has a relatively well-established HIV and syphilis prenatal testing system, but the official WHO certification process has not yet proceeded. The Danish case can serve as a reference case for what standards and procedures are needed when Korea pursues official certification. In particular, the data system's suitability for international standards and accessibility to vulnerable groups are expected to be evaluated as important during the verification process.

Triple eradication goal: If Denmark achieves triple eradication, including hepatitis B, it will be the first in the EU and a leading example globally. With WHO targeting a dramatic reduction in vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B globally by 2030, Denmark's further achievements are likely to provide momentum to the global health agenda.