Hepatitis A vaccination: Need for universal immunization?

Abstract

Hepatitis A is a common water-borne virus. Though it is an endemic disease but epidemics have occurred over the years. HAV infects more than 80% of the population of many developing countries by late adolescence. The difference is endemicity is related to the hygienic and sanitary conditions and also on other indicators of level of development. The outcome of hepatitis A may be extremely variable. Hepatitis A is a costly burden to society that could be countered by universal childhood immunization with hepatitis A vaccine. Considering other more pressing issues universal immunization may actually be a distant dream. Under prevailing conditions the disease can best be controlled by improving general living conditions.

Keywords

• Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis A vaccines