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. 2021 Sep 30;224(12 Suppl 2):S343-S351.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa668.

Hepatitis B Vaccines

Jade Pattyn  1 , Greet Hendrickx  1 , Alex Vorsters  1 , Pierre Van Damme  1
Affiliations

Hepatitis B Vaccines

Jade Pattyn et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which infects the liver and may lead to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV represents a worldwide public health problem, causing major morbidity and mortality. Affordable, safe, and effective, hepatitis B vaccines are the best tools we have to control and prevent hepatitis B. In 2019, coverage of 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine reached 85% worldwide compared to around 30% in 2000. The effective implementation of hepatitis B vaccination programs has resulted in a substantial decrease in the HBV carrier rate and hepatitis B-related morbidity and mortality. This article summarizes the great triumphs of the hepatitis B vaccine, the first anticancer and virus-like-particle-based vaccine. In addition, existing unresolved issues and future perspectives on hepatitis B vaccination required for global prevention of HBV infection are discussed.

Keywords: hepatitis B; hepatitis B vaccination; hepatitis B virus.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A, Electron micrograph of hepatitis B virus (HBV): Dane particles (43 nm) and spherical and tubular surface antigen particles (22 nm) [4]. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a work of the U.S. federal government. B, A simplified figure of the HBV particle and surface antigens.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence estimates for 2016. Estimates for countries with data and a model or for which data were extrapolated from countries in the same Global Burden of Disease region with available data (all ages). From Polaris Observatory Collaborators. Global prevalence, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in 2016: a modelling study [27].
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A, Immunization coverage with third dose of hepatitis B (HepB3) in infants in 2019. B, Global immunization 1989–2019 HepB3 coverage in infants. Global coverage was 84% in 2019. Abbreviations: AFR, African region; AMR, Americas region; EMR, Eastern Mediterranean region; EUR, European region; SEAR, South-East Asia region; WPR, Western Pacific region. Source: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)/World Health Organization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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