IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS AND POST-VACCINATION COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH VIRAL HEPATITIS A

Abstract

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious acute liver disease with significant global impact. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2016, about 7,134 people died from hepatitis A worldwide, representing roughly 0.5% of all viral hepatitis deaths​. Many of these infections occur in early childhood, especially in regions with poor sanitation – in low-income countries up to 90% of children are infected by age 10, usually without symptoms​. This ubiquity makes Hepatitis A both a common childhood infection and a public health challenge. Fortunately, effective immunoprophylaxis (vaccination) is available. A safe and effective vaccine can prevent hepatitis A​, and immunization programs have dramatically reduced disease incidence [1]. For example, countries that introduced routine hepatitis A vaccination in children have seen cases plummet by over 95% within a decade​. Given the vaccine’s success, it is crucial to understand its safety profile. Careful monitoring of post-vaccination complications in pediatric patients ensures that immunoprophylaxis remains a trusted cornerstone in controlling Hepatitis A globally [2]. This article examines the importance of hepatitis A immunoprophylaxis in children, and analyzes the frequency and nature of post-vaccination reactions, drawing on data from WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other scientific sources.