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The Miracle of the Hepatitis B Vaccine: Why Does the Vaccine Prevent Liver Cancer?
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and primarily affects the liver. The virus can cause acute and chronic infections, and many people may not experience obvious symptoms when first infected. According to reports from health experts, since its introduction in 1982, the hepatitis B vaccine has not only effectively prevented the spread of hepatitis B, but also fundamentally prevented the increase in liver cancer cases caused by hepatitis. The miracle of this vaccine cannot be ignored.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2022, the hepatitis B vaccine is 98% to 100% effective in preventing infection.
Hepatitis B virus is mainly transmitted through contact with infectious blood or body fluids, such as sexual contact, sharing of needles, and mother-to-child transmission. In some countries, especially some Asian and African regions, the infection rate of hepatitis B remains high. The biggest key to defeating this epidemic lies in timely vaccination, and the development and popularization of vaccines have become an important milestone for global public health. According to reports, approximately 296 million people worldwide are suffering from chronic hepatitis B, making the need for a vaccine even more urgent.
The role of hepatitis B vaccine
The basic principle of the hepatitis B vaccine is to allow the recipient's immune system to recognize and fight the hepatitis B virus. Vaccines enable the body to respond quickly and effectively when faced with actual viral infection by stimulating the production of antibodies. This not only reduces the risk of acute infection, but more importantly, it also greatly reduces the probability of chronic hepatitis B developing into liver cancer.
With the global emphasis on vaccination, the vaccination rate of young children in many countries has increased significantly, which has directly contributed to the significant decrease in the incidence of liver cancer.
Scientific research shows that 25% of patients with chronic hepatitis B may eventually develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Vaccination can effectively reduce this risk to nearly zero. Therefore, under the advocacy of the International Health Organization, many countries have included hepatitis B vaccine in childhood immunization programs, especially recommending that babies receive the first dose of vaccine within 24 hours after birth.
Successful cases and future prospects
Many success stories have shown that hepatitis B infection rates in specific areas have dropped significantly through vaccination. According to WHO data, since 1991, in the United States, the incidence of hepatitis B has dropped by more than 90% after newborns were vaccinated against hepatitis B. This not only protects newborns, but also reduces the risk of liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis B when they grow up.
Around the world, public health campaigns and promotion of hepatitis B vaccination have emerged as effective strategies to reduce the incidence of liver cancer.
As of 2021, 190 countries around the world have made hepatitis B vaccine accessible to infants. This achievement is inseparable from the efforts of medical workers around the world. However, in the future, we will still have to face obstacles such as the elderly population suffering from chronic hepatitis B and vulnerable groups who are difficult to access medically. In addition, WHO set a goal in 2016 to eliminate hepatitis B as a global public health threat by 2030. Achieving this goal will not only rely on vaccination, but also requires the development of drugs to treat chronic hepatitis B and other prevention and control measures.
Conclusion
In general, the success of the hepatitis B vaccine lies not only in its ability to effectively prevent viral infection, but more importantly, in that it greatly reduces the chance of chronic hepatitis B transforming into liver cancer. As the world attaches great importance to vaccination, we have to think about what else we can do in the future to ensure that the incidence of liver cancer continues to decrease around the world?
