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Hepatitis B​

General Information

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccines that are safe, available and effective.

WHO recommends that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours, followed by 2 or 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine at least 4 weeks apart to complete the vaccination series. Protection lasts at least 20 years.​

Transmission

Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted from mother to child during birth and delivery, as well as through contact with blood or other body fluids, unsafe injections or exposures to sharp instruments.

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Epidemiology

2019

WHO estimates that 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2019, with 1.5 million new infections each year.

In 2019, hepatitis B resulted in an estimated 820,000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).

Vaccines
Pipeline

2
Vaccines in
the pipeline

Technology Platforms

  • Viral vector (1)
  • Virus-like particle​ (1)

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

  • Phase II (2)

TRIAL POPULATION

  • Adults (2)

Source: 
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
[Accessed: November 2022]

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