Hepatitis vaccine gets thumbs up from China's health regulators

Chinese vaccine company Sinovac Biotech Ltd has received official approval from the country's health regulators for the re-registration of Bilive, a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine.

As the only vaccine of its kind approved for sale in China, the vaccine is set to play an important role in supporting the country's efforts to eliminate hepatitis in line with the World Health Organization's 2030 goals.

According to the company, the vaccine is available in two formulations, one for children and one for adults. The pediatric version is intended for children aged 1 to 15 who are either immune-naive or at risk of contracting hepatitis A and B. The adult version is for individuals aged 16 and older.

Sinovac's research indicates that a single booster dose of the vaccine can enhance immunity in individuals who have already completed the full vaccination series for both hepatitis A and B. For those who have not received the hepatitis A vaccine, a two-dose regimen will not only establish immunity against hepatitis A but also boost hepatitis B antibody levels.

Hepatitis remains one of the world's major public health challenges. Bai Yunhua, a disease education expert certificated by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, making it prone to outbreaks.

Hepatitis B, meanwhile, is spread through mother-to-child transmission and exposure to infected bodily fluids. It can lead to chronic liver disease like cirrhosis, and is the leading cause of liver cancer in China.

Bai emphasized that vaccination remains the most cost-effective and efficient method of prevention.

lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn