New HepB Vaccine Delivered in Just Two Doses

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel approved the new vaccine in the fight against hepatitis B infections.

The HEPLISAV-B  regimen is two doses over one month.

This reduced dosage is important since studies have shown that only 54 percent of adults complete the currently available three-dose hepatitis B vaccine series in one year.

According to the FDA, people are not adequately protected against hepatitis B unless they have all three doses.

"There is simply no reason why many millions of people still have not been tested for hepatitis and cannot access the treatment for which they are in dire need," said Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, World Health Organization's Director of the HIV Department and Global Hepatitis Programme.

There are 257 million people worldwide living with hepatitis B.

“The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine,” said Jeremy H. Ashley, PharmD, RPh, Health Services Clinical Pharmacist with Brookshires Grocery Company.

“The hepatitis B vaccine is administered in a 3-shot series over a six month period. We offer the hepatitis B vaccine in all of our pharmacy locations, with the intent of making it easily accessible for all community members we serve,” said Ashley.

The most effective current hepatitis B treatment, Tenofovir (VEMLIDY), which is not curative and which in most cases needs to be taken for life, is available for as low as $48 per year in many countries.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Eddie Gray, chief executive officer of Dynavax Technologies Corporation said, "Clinical studies of HEPLISAV-B have shown that the vaccine provides increased rates of seroprotection. In addition, the two-dose regimen offers the potential to increase patient compliance, which physicians and advocates agree is essential to preventing more cases of hepatitis B and achieving the public health goal of eradication."

The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, but typically does.