Hepatitis A vaccine

Current Context : Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) launched its paediatric dose of India’s first indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine – Havisure.

ABOUT HEPATITIS

• Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, and it can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, alcohol use, medications, and other conditions.
• The most common forms are viral hepatitis, which includes Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

• Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus, which predominantly affects children and can lead to severe health complications.
• Transmission: Primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
• Contagion:Can spread in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
• Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
• Duration:Symptoms typically appear 2-6 weeks after exposure and usually last for a few weeks to a couple of months.

Disease Burden in India :

• India had over 11% of global hepatitis burden in 2022, with 35.3 million cases, according to 2024 Global Hepatitis Report by the World Health Organization (WHO).