Hepatitis A vaccines

Abstract

The global disease burden associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) is expected to increase in the coming years due to a shift in the epidemiological pattern of the disease. A decrease in the prevalence of natural immunity is leading to an increased number of adolescents and adults susceptible to a disease that is associated with greater morbidity, mortality and treatment costs in older-age groups. Current HAV vaccines have been shown to be safe, highly immunogenic and confer long-lasting protection against HAV disease. Vaccine-induced antibodies persist for more than 12 years in vaccinated adults and mathematical modeling predicts antibody persistence for more than 25 years in over 95% of vaccine recipients. However, the cost of HAV vaccines has been prohibitive for some countries. Recent studies in countries with transitioning HAV endemicity indicate that the cost-benefit ratio of mass vaccination against HAV would be similar to other routine childhood vaccinations.

Die Seroepidemiologie der Hepatitis A, B und C in Deutschland

“…Die vorliegenden DEGS1-Daten zur Anti-HAV-Seroprävalenz liefern ein aktuelles, bevölkerungsbezogenes und zuverlässiges Bild der Immunität gegen das Hepatitis-A-Virus, da diese Antikörper sehr lange nach einer Impfung [15] und noch länger nach einer natürlich durchgemachten Infektion [16,17] einen durch serologische Untersuchung nachweisbaren Schutz bieten. Aktuell sind jüngere Altersgruppen besser, ältere Altersgruppen hingegen schlechter als vor 10 Jahren gegen eine Hepatitis-A-Infektion geschützt.…”

Comparative hepatitis A seroepidemiology in 10 European countries

“…The available inactivated HAV vaccines are safe and provide long-term protection. Mathematical modelling predicts antibody persistence for more than 25 years in over 95% of vaccine recipients [2]. No specific antiviral treatment is available for HAV infection.…”

Contributions from the systematic review of economic evaluations: the case of childhood hepatitis A vaccination in Brazil

“…The hepatitis A vaccine has been commercially available since the early 1990s 5 and has proven safe and effective. In Israel, universal childhood vaccination has been conducted with great success since 1999 6,7 .…”