Hepatitis B vaccine: a review of the clinical data to date.

The CDC estimates that about 200,000 Americans become infected with HBV each year. About 200 die of fulminant hepatitis. Most importantly, 12,000 to 20,000 persons become chronically infected, placing themselves at increased risk of developing chronic sequelae such as cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma and also putting their families and close personal contacts at risk of hepatitis B infection. An effective vaccine to protect against hepatitis B is currently available. The vaccine is produced according to a rigorous process known to kill HBV, the agent causing AIDS, and all other viruses known to be present in human plasma. Well-controlled clinical studies have shown the vaccine to be well tolerated, immunogenic, and highly effective in preventing hepatitis B. The benefits of vaccination are clear.