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-Vaccination against hepatitis B-
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevention is crucial for French children. Coordinated immunization strategies, including vaccinating infants and at-risk groups, aim to eliminate chronic HBV carriers.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Context:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, though uncommon in French children, poses a significant public health challenge.
- Transmission from asymptomatic carrier mothers to newborns creates a new generation of chronic carriers susceptible to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Purpose:
- To outline essential prevention and immunization strategies for eliminating chronic HBV carriers among at-risk populations in France.
- To emphasize the critical role of pediatricians in these coordinated public health efforts.
Summary:
- Four highly effective and well-tolerated hepatitis B vaccines are available in France, providing protection for 90-95% of individuals.
- Ongoing research into new vaccines, such as DNA vaccines, aims to improve protection for non-responders.
- Current French immunization recommendations target infants, preadolescents, and at-risk groups, with special attention to newborns of carrier mothers.
Impact:
- Effective immunization strategies can significantly reduce the incidence of chronic hepatitis B and its long-term complications.
- Coordinated efforts involving healthcare professionals are vital for the successful elimination of HBV as a public health threat.
Abstract:
Although relatively uncommon among French children, hepatitis B virus infection is a major problem of public health which deserves coordinated strategies of prevention and immunization, in order to eliminate chronic carriers among groups at risk. The participation of pediatricians to these strategies is essential, knowing that transmission of hepatitis B virus from asymptomatic carrier mothers to their newborns contributes to new generation of chronic carriers who will be exposed to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Four hepatitis B vaccine are presently available in France with equal good efficiency and tolerance. These vaccines allow a protection against hepatitis B in 90 to 95% of the vaccinated subjects. Active search for new vaccines, particularly DNA vaccines, is in progress to extend the protection to the 5-10% non or low responders. The current recommended strategy of immunization in France associates immunizations of infants, preadolescents and groups at risk. In addition newborns from carrier mothers must receive combined passive and active immunization at birth.