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Contents
  • Global Vaccination Efforts
  • Challenges in Vaccine Response
  • Types of Vaccines Available

Can Hepatitis B Be Eradicated Through Vaccination?

Can Hepatitis B Be Eradicated Through Vaccination?

The Big Picture

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects millions worldwide, but eradication might be within reach through effective vaccination. This article explores the importance of vaccination in preventing HBV.
Contents
  • Global Vaccination Efforts
  • Challenges in Vaccine Response
  • Types of Vaccines Available

Global Vaccination Efforts

Vaccine coverage has dramatically increased since 1992, with global infant vaccination rates rising from 3% to 85% by 2019. Despite these advancements, full coverage is yet to be achieved, especially among adults. In the U.S., only 25.8% of adults over 19 years were vaccinated as of 2017. However, childhood vaccinations have significantly reduced acute hepatitis B incidence.

Challenges in Vaccine Response

Not everyone responds to the hepatitis B vaccine, with 5 to 10% of individuals showing no response. Factors like age, obesity, and chronic conditions can affect vaccine efficacy. Health education and infection control remain crucial in these cases. Moreover, concerns about HBV S escape mutants exist, but their overall prevalence is decreasing.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can lead to serious liver disease. Vaccination plays a crucial role in prevention.

Types of Vaccines Available

Several types of hepatitis B vaccines are available, including yeast-derived, mammalian cell-derived, and combination vaccines. Yeast-derived vaccines are the most common, while novel vaccines like the recombinant HepB-CpG offer quicker immune responses. Each type of vaccine has its own advantages and specific use cases.

FAQs

What is the global vaccination rate for hepatitis B?

As of 2019, global infant vaccination rates reached 85%.

How effective is the hepatitis B vaccine?

The vaccine is over 90% effective in healthy adults.

Are there people who don't respond to the vaccine?

Yes, 5 to 10% of people do not respond to the vaccine.

What are HBV S escape mutants?

They are variations of the virus that can bypass vaccine protection.

Key Takeaways

While vaccination is key to eradicating hepatitis B, ongoing efforts are needed to tackle non-responsiveness and coverage gaps.
Discuss with Doctronic how you can contribute to hepatitis B prevention efforts.
Additional References
  1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis B. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Coverage among Adults in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2017.html
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report 2018 — Hepatitis B. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/2018surveillance/HepB.htm
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.