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Global programme for control of hepatitis B infection
1Division of Communicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
Vaccine
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Hepatitis B vaccination is crucial for preventing millions of deaths annually from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, including liver cancer. Integrating the hepatitis B vaccine into routine infant immunization programs is highly cost-effective and essential for global health.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects over 2 billion people globally, with 350 million chronic carriers at high risk of liver disease and cancer.
- HBV infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, causing approximately 1 million deaths each year from acute and chronic sequelae.
- Global health organizations recommend widespread hepatitis B vaccination to control the virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the global prevalence of HBV infection and chronic carriers.
- To evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine integration into national immunization programs.
- To advocate for universal infant and adolescent hepatitis B immunization strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of global HBV carrier prevalence data.
- Review of national immunization policies and vaccine integration status.
- Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of different HBV vaccination strategies.
Main Results:
- As of 1992, 50 countries included hepatitis B vaccine in routine infant immunization, covering 32% of global newborns and 56% of carriers.
- Countries with high HBV endemicity (≥8% carrier prevalence) were urged to integrate vaccination by 1995, and all countries by 1997.
- Even in low-endemicity areas, universal infant and adolescent vaccination is proving cost-effective, as high-risk group strategies have failed.
Conclusions:
- Universal hepatitis B vaccination is essential to combat the significant global burden of HBV infection.
- Integrating hepatitis B vaccine into routine infant immunization schedules is a highly cost-effective public health intervention.
- Countries should establish working groups to evaluate HBV disease burden and the cost-effectiveness of adding hepatitis B vaccine to immunization programs.