Review article: vaccination and viral hepatitis - current status and future prospects

Viral hepatitis is the most common cause of liver disease in the world. In the past 25 years, vaccines have become available for two of the five hepatitis viruses, and, where implemented, vaccination has become a key component of hepatitis prevention.

To provide an update on recent advances in the use of current hepatitis vaccines and to examine progress in the development of vaccines for the remaining hepatitis viruses.

A Medline search was undertaken to identify the recent relevant literature. Search terms included hepatitis vaccines, hepatitis vaccination and hepatitis A-E vaccines.

Dramatic vaccine-induced declines in the incidence of both hepatitis A and B have occurred in the USA. Strategies to integrate hepatitis A vaccine into universal childhood immunization are being adopted. Similarly, strategies with the goal of eliminating transmission of hepatitis B have been promulgated. A vaccine for hepatitis E has been reported to be effective and safe, but progress in the development of vaccines for hepatitis C and D has been limited.

During the next few decades, the goals of eliminating hepatitis A and B virus transmission may be reached in the USA and elsewhere.