HBV Vaccination: Birth Dose Safe, May Reduce HIV Coinfection
Systematic review confirms hepatitis B birth dose is safe and effective; separate study finds childhood vaccination linked to significantly lower HBV coinfection in people with HIV.
Also known as: HBV
Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that can present as acute or chronic disease. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Transmission occurs through blood and body fluids, including perinatal, sexual, and parenteral routes.
Systematic review confirms hepatitis B birth dose is safe and effective; separate study finds childhood vaccination linked to significantly lower HBV coinfection in people with HIV.
In the Philippines, an estimated 7.3 million adults live with chronic hepatitis B, far above regional averages. Experts warn that complex treatment guidelines may hinder front-line clinicians from initiating care, while Thailand’s success with vaccination shows a path to elimination. Expanding screening and simplifying treatment are critical steps.
GSK's Phase III B-Well trials show bepirovirsen achieved 19% functional cure in chronic hepatitis B, rising to 26% in patients with lower viral activity, versus 0% for placebo. Regulatory decisions are expected in Q3 2026.
Tracy Beth Hoeg, the FDA's acting drug center director, has been removed from her role after leading reviews of antidepressants, COVID-19 vaccines and RSV drugs. She is replaced by Dr. Mike Davis, as the agency continues a leadership shake-up.
Trump secured agreements with 16 pharmaceutical companies tied to TrumpRx.gov, including most-favoured-nation pricing and direct-to-patient discounts. Several companies disclosed price cuts for obesity, diabetes, insulin and other medicines.
A federal judge froze appointments to the CDC’s ACIP, halted its votes, and paused recent HHS vaccine policy changes. The ruling leaves several FDA-approved vaccines pending review.
Scientists are testing experimental cancer therapies including mRNA therapeutic vaccines, engineered EcN bacteria that deliver romidepsin in mice, and macrophage-targeted CAR T cells.
The American Medical Association and University of Minnesota's Vaccine Integrity Project are creating an independent vaccine review system after major changes at the CDC raised concerns among public health experts.
The CDC's vaccine advisory committee meeting scheduled for February 25-27 has been canceled and rescheduled for March 18-19, as medical groups challenge the panel's composition and policies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Ralph Abraham resigned as CDC principal deputy director after less than two months, leaving the agency's top two positions vacant. The departure is part of broader HHS leadership changes under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07637214 |
A Real-world Study: Analysis of the Efficacy of Antiviral Therapy in CHB Patients Over 30 Years Old, HBV DNA Positive and ALT Normal |
COMPLETED | |
| NCT07589985 |
Hep Mec Cohort in Zambia |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07253220 |
TAF Monotherapy Versus ETV Combined With TAF on the Efficacy and Prognosis of Immunotherapy for Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07168356 |
A Study to Evaluate Blood Levels of Bepirovirsen in Adult Participants With Severe or Moderate Kidney Disease |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
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COMPLETED | |
| NCT07126041 |
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07085715 |
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NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07079150 |
Real-world Study Evaluating the Long-term Outcomes of Pegylated Interferon α-2b Treatment in the Families With Clusters of HBV Infection and Unfavorable Prognosis - A Prospective, Controlled, Multicenter, Cohort Study |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT06998992 |
Assessing the Reliability of Self-Reported Hepatitis B Vaccination Status in Outpatients: Evaluation of Individuals Born in France and Consulting at the CeGIDD in Saint-Denis. |
COMPLETED | |
| NCT06947499 |
A Phase II/III Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity, Safety and Lot-to-lot Consistency of LBVD, a Fully Liquid Hexavalent Diphtheria-tetanus-whole Cell Pertussis-hepatitis B-poliovirus-Haemophilus Influenzae Type b Conjugate (DTwP-HepB-IPV-Hib) Vaccine, in Healthy Infants as Primary Series |
RECRUITING | PHASE2/PHASE3 |