Epidemiology of hepatitis A and vaccination policy

• Main Authors: I. N. Indikova, V. A. Shevtsov, A. R. Volgin, Yu. V. Olefir, V. A. Merkulov, V. P. Bondarev
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Federal State Budgetary Institution «Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products» 2018-02-01
• Series: Биопрепараты: Профилактика, диагностика, лечение
• Subjects: вирусный гепатит а; вакцинопрофилактика; инактивированные вакцины; иммуногенность; hepatitis a virus; vaccination; inactivated vaccines; immunogenicity
• Online Access: https://www.biopreparations.ru/jour/article/view/27
• ISSN: 2221-996X; 2619-1156

Hepatitis A (HA) is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HA disease incidence rate is closely linked to the social and economical development. The results of seroepidemiologic studies show that the prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in population ranges from 15 to almost 100% in various countries of the world. The only reliable way to prevent hepatitis A virus (HAV) for today is the specific prophylactic vaccination. Recently developed inactivated vaccines against HAV have been successfully used in many countries. Vaccines authorized in Russia are safe, possess low reactogenicity and high immunogenicity. Practical experience in using vaccines during the outbreaks of HAV has shown that they possess epidemiological efficacy and provide necessary protection of the population in extreme conditions. This is clearly confirmed by single administration of vaccines to patients in epidemic focus of HAV. Constant regular monitoring of the duration of protection induced by one and two doses of the vaccine is required. The article considers WHO’s position on the use of vaccines for the prevention of HA. It describes the prospects of the further use of vaccines to control the spread of HA.