Challenges for hepatitis B control in Asia‐Pacific areas: Consolidating vaccination and rolling‐out antiviral therapies

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was, and still is, a prevalent liver disease in the world, especially high in the Asia‐Pacific areas. With the advent of preventive vaccines and effective viral suppression drugs and active implementations, CHB has gradually become under control. The world‐wide prevalence reduces from 4.2% in 1980 to 3.2% in 2020 study. CHB patients receiving long‐term antiviral therapies significantly improve the clinical outcomes, saving from end‐stage liver diseases. Despite of these impressive progresses, to meet the WHO sustained development goals (SDG) for CHB control, a 90% reduction of incidence and a 65% reduction of mortality in year 2030, there is still a long way to go. In this review, four ongoing approaches have been proposed: (i) A continuous monitoring of long‐term vaccine efficacy in vaccinated populations; (ii) consolidating the hepatitis B virus vaccination program against vaccine hesitancy and limited resources; (iii) rolling‐out current oral antivirals to more CHB patients not only for diseases treatment but also for infection preventions; and (iv) development of curative therapies, both friendly‐to‐dispense and affordable. A coherent and persevere efforts by the society may succeed and achieve the SDG for CHB in the future.