Hepatitis B is preventable with safe and effective vaccines

Hepatitis B is preventable with safe and effective vaccines

Immunization is the primary tool for prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Given that infections acquired in infancy or childhood are more likely to become chronic than those acquired at an older age, reaching younger groups with timely vaccination (ideally within 24 hours of birth) and with at least 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is the core strategy for prevention.

Additional measures such as screening of blood donations, provision of sterile injecting equipment and assuring infection control, and promotion of safer sex practices are also important aspects of a comprehensive plan for prevention and control of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B prevention through immunization

Overview

Vaccination is the main prevention method against hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis B vaccines currently available are inexpensive, safe and effective. They protect against hepatitis B in more than 95% of healthy infants, children and young adults.

Since 1982, over a billion doses of hepatitis B vaccine have been used worldwide. In many countries, where 8%–15% of children used to become chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, vaccination has reduced the rate of chronic infection to less than 1% among immunized children.

Infant immunization

WHO recommends that all infants receive the complete series of hepatitis B vaccine. This includes one dose at birth.

The first dose of hepatitis B vaccine should be given to newborns as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. The birth dose should be followed by 2 or 3 doses to complete the primary series, depending on different vaccine schedules. It should be given as part of the infant routine immunization schedule.

The birth dose can effectively prevent mother-to-child transmission. The complete vaccine series induces immunity in more than 95% of infants, children and young adults. Protection lasts at least 20 years and is possibly lifelong.

In addition to all infants, children and adolescents aged less than 18 years who have not previously received the hepatitis B vaccine should receive it if available.

Other priority groups for hepatitis B vaccination

People in high risk groups should also be vaccinated. High risk groups include:

• people who frequently require blood or blood products, dialysis patients and recipients of solid organ transplantations;
• people interned in prisons;
• injecting drug users;
• household and sexual contacts of people with chronic hepatitis B infection;
• people with multiple sexual partners;
• health-care workers and others who may be exposed to blood and blood products through their work; and
• travellers who have not completed their hepatitis B vaccination series should be offered the vaccine before leaving for endemic areas.