[Vaccination against hepatitis B virus]

More than 200 million people infected with hepatitis B virus worldwide, with high risk of developing hepatic disease ranging from chronic hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma, underline an imperative need for an efficacious vaccine. Many studies have provided repeated assurance on the safety and efficacy of hepatitis B vaccines derived from plasma pooled from carriers. However, alternative methods for vaccine production are necessary and DNA recombinant vaccines are currently available. Recombinant hepatitis B vaccines are safe, antigenic, and free from side effects. The immunogenicity of yeast hepatitis B vaccine is similar to that of the plasma-derived vaccine. In the mammalian recombinant vaccine, pre-S2 region is added to S region and should confer quicker and stronger efficacy in hepatitis B protection.