Journal of Vaccine Research 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 107-119 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/jvr 107 Research Article Open Access Global Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and Implications for Vaccine Strategies WeiminSun Sinovac (Dalian) Vaccine Technology Co., Ltd., Dalian, 116620, Liaoning, China Corresponding author email: weimin@sinovac.com Journal of Vaccine Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/jvr.2024.14.0012 Received: 15 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 18 May, 2024 Published: 29 May, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Sun, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Sun W.M., 2024, Global epidemiology of hepatitis B and implications for vaccine strategies, Journal of Vaccine Research, 14(3): 107-119 (doi: 10.5376/jvr.2024.14.0012) Abstract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health challenge, with over 296 million people living with chronic HBV infection and more than 820 000 annual deaths due to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The epidemiology of HBV varies widely, with high endemicity in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, and lower prevalence in North America and Western Europe. Universal hepatitis B vaccination programs have been instrumental in reducing HBV prevalence and associated HCC rates, particularly in high-endemicity regions. Despite these successes, challenges remain, including variable vaccination coverage and the need for targeted strategies to address high-risk populations and regions with low immunization rates. Sustainable vaccination programs, improved coverage, and effective monitoring are essential to achieving the World Health Organization's goal of HBV elimination by 2030. This study highlights the global epidemiology of HBV, the impact of vaccination on disease burden, and the implications for future vaccine strategies to reduce HBV-related morbidity and mortality. Keywords Hepatitis B virus (HBV); Vaccination; Epidemiology; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Global health strategies 1 Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant global health concern, infecting the liver and potentially leading to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Lavanchy, 2005; Shepard et al., 2006; Ott et al., 2012). HBV is highly infectious and can be transmitted through various routes, including vertical transmission from mother to child, sexual contact, household contact, and unsafe injections (Shepard et al., 2006). Chronic HBV infection is particularly prevalent in certain regions, with the highest endemicity observed in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia (Ott et al., 2012; MacLachlan and Cowie, 2015). Despite the availability of effective vaccines and antiviral treatments, HBV remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Locarnini et al., 2015; Pattyn et al., 2021). Understanding the global epidemiology of HBV is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and vaccine policies. Epidemiological studies provide insights into the prevalence, distribution, and transmission patterns of HBV, which are essential for identifying high-risk populations and regions (Ott et al., 2012; MacLachlan and Cowie, 2015; Razavi-Shearer et al., 2018). These studies also highlight the impact of vaccination programs and other preventive measures on reducing HBV prevalence and associated diseases (Shepard et al., 2006; Locarnini et al., 2015). For instance, the implementation of universal hepatitis B immunization has led to significant declines in chronic HBV infection rates in many countries, particularly among children (Shepard et al., 2006; Pattyn et al., 2021). However, the absolute number of chronically infected individuals continues to rise, underscoring the need for sustained and targeted interventions (Ott et al., 2012; Razavi-Shearer et al., 2018). This study provides a comprehensive overview of the global epidemiology of HBV and its implications for vaccine strategies. It will examine the current prevalence and distribution of HBV infection, the effectiveness of existing vaccination programs, and the challenges in achieving global HBV control. By synthesizing data from multiple studies, this study seeks to inform public health policies and guide future research efforts to eliminate HBV as a public health threat by 2030.
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