Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections occur world-wide and more than 200 million people have been estimated to be chronic carriers of HB surface antigen (HBsAg). Long-term chronic carriage of HBsAg has been associated with an increased risk of chronic active hepatitis (CAH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Western countries, the prevalence of HBV infection is low in the general population. Only particular subgroups, for the most part adults, are at risk of such infections: health care workers, haemodialysis patients, transfusion patients, drug abusers and homosexuals. In Asia and tropical Africa, however, the prevalence of HBV infection is relatively high. Transmission occurs mainly during the perinatal period and infancy. Infection at a young age often results in the chronic carrier state. A hepatitis B vaccine has been developed in France and has been demonstrated to be safe, immunogenic, and effective in preventing HBV infection. Extensive experience from clinical trials now makes it possible to recommend vaccination strategies in terms of target populations and of optimal schedules. This paper reports the results of hepatitis B vaccination and, in particular, presents an overview of the vaccination experience in newborns and children.
