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Vaccines
Special Issues
Hepatitis Vaccines: Safety, Efficacy and Global Impact
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Hepatitis Vaccines: Safety, Efficacy and Global Impact

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Hepatitis Virus Vaccines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 3055

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Muhammad Atif Zahoor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
Interests: viral hepatitis; host–virus interactions; innate immunity; cell signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatitis vaccines are among the most significant achievements in public health, providing highly effective protection against viral hepatitis, a leading global cause of liver disease and death. Hepatitis A and B vaccines, with immunogenicity rates exceeding 95%, offer long-lasting protection and have been instrumental in reducing hepatitis-related infections and deaths, particularly in regions with well-established vaccination programs. However, despite these successes, challenges remain in ensuring equitable vaccine access, especially in low-resource settings where the burden of hepatitis is highest. While a hepatitis E vaccine is available in certain regions and research into vaccines for hepatitis C and D continues, there is still a critical need for innovation and expanded global reach in prevention strategies. Addressing these gaps through education, improved access, and integration into public health frameworks is crucial to achieving the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

In this Special Issue, we aim to address key questions related to viral hepatitis, including its prevention through vaccination, the safety and efficacy of current vaccines, and the broader global impact of these interventions. We invite the submission of original research and review articles that explore any aspect of viral hepatitis, the role of vaccines, and the innovations and challenges that will shape the future of hepatitis prevention worldwide.

Dr. Muhammad Atif Zahoor
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral hepatitis
  • prevention of viral hepatitis through effective vaccines
  • safety and efficacy of hepatitis vaccines
  • immunogenicity of hepatitis vaccines
  • vaccine innovation
  • global prevention strategies
  • global health impact
  • vaccine failures and future challenges

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1857 KiB  
Article
Immunogenic Properties of a Novel Hepatitis A Vaccine Candidate Based on a Fast-Growing Viral Strain
by Maria Isabel Costafreda, Malén Massot-Cladera, Gemma Chavarria-Miró, Alba Arrebola, Àngels Franch-Masferrer, Maria J. Rodríguez-Lagunas, Adán Martínez-Velázquez, Albert Blanco, Albert Bosch, Susana Guix, Margarida Castell and Rosa Maria Pintó
Vaccines 2025, 13(5), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13050446 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) yearly causes over 150 million new infections and around 40,000 deaths. Current vaccines are based on strains that grow poorly in cell culture, leading to high production costs and limited availability. This study aimed to compare the immunogenic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) yearly causes over 150 million new infections and around 40,000 deaths. Current vaccines are based on strains that grow poorly in cell culture, leading to high production costs and limited availability. This study aimed to compare the immunogenic properties of a novel HAV vaccine candidate based on the fast-growing HM175-HP strain with those of the parental slow-growing HM175-L0 strain, which derives from the cytopathic HM175 strain, like the prototype strain used in certain existing vaccines. Methods: The humoral and cellular immune response elicited by either HM175-HP or HM175-L0 vaccines was assessed in female BALB/c mice. Results: Both HM175-HP and HM175-L0 vaccines induced comparable levels of anti-HAV IgG, as well as similar numbers of antibody-secreting cells and cellular proliferation rates in immunized mice. Importantly, anti-HAV antibodies developed by HM175-HP-immunized mice were able to neutralize the HM175-L0 strain. In addition, both vaccines induced anti-HAV IgG1 antibodies, which are associated with Th2 immune response, but the HM175-HP vaccine showed a tendency to produce a greater IgG2a response, suggesting that it might elicit a higher Th1 response, which is of utmost importance for host defense against viruses. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the fast-growing HM175-HP strain has similar immunogenic properties to the vaccine prototype-like HM175-L0, making it a promising candidate to reduce the elevated costs and time-consuming procedures of producing the current HAV vaccines. The novel HM175-HP-based vaccine would therefore facilitate mass vaccination programs and prevent vaccine shortages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis Vaccines: Safety, Efficacy and Global Impact)
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Review

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26 pages, 395 KiB  
Review
Vaccination Strategies and Research Gaps in Hepatitis E Virus for Special Populations
by Meng Wang, Binwei Duan, Mengcheng Liu, Yuxuan Zhang, Feng Wu, Guangming Li and Yabo Ouyang
Vaccines 2025, 13(6), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13060621 - 9 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1433
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant health risk across diverse demographic groups, particularly among pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, patients with chronic liver disease, and the elderly. The global epidemiology of HEV reveals distinct patterns of prevalence, transmission, and disease severity [...] Read more.
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant health risk across diverse demographic groups, particularly among pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, patients with chronic liver disease, and the elderly. The global epidemiology of HEV reveals distinct patterns of prevalence, transmission, and disease severity among these populations, necessitating targeted vaccination strategies. The licensing of the Hecolin (HEV 239) vaccine offers promise, but gaps in clinical trial data and varying immune responses in high-risk groups challenge its widespread applicability. Scope: This review synthesizes data on HEV’s epidemiology, discusses the susceptibility of vulnerable populations, evaluates the efficacy and safety of HEV 239, and highlights the urgent need for clinical research tailored to these groups. Key findings underscore the complexity of vaccine response influenced by immunological, physiological, and environmental factors. Additionally, potential advancements in vaccine technology, including the development of broad-spectrum vaccines and innovative delivery systems, are discussed as future directions. Strategies: Addressing regulatory, economic, and logistical barriers remains crucial for effective HEV vaccination programs. A multidisciplinary approach integrating public health policy, rigorous clinical evaluations, and collaborative frameworks is essential to ensure equitable access to HEV vaccination, ultimately improving health outcomes on a global scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis Vaccines: Safety, Efficacy and Global Impact)
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