Increased hepatitis A vaccination needed to prevent deaths

Nearly two-thirds of hepatitis A virus (HAV)-related deaths had at least one documented indication for HAV vaccine, according to research published in the Oct. 20 issue of the journal Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). And only 4% had evidence of vaccination. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Megan G. Hofmeister, MD, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from 27 states affected by HAV outbreaks that provided data between August 1, 2016, and October 31, 2022, to determine Describe demographic, risk factor, clinical, and cause-of-death data for 315 outbreak-related HAV deaths.

The researchers found that HAV was recorded as an underlying or contributing cause of death in 60% of available death certificates. The number of deaths related to the epidemic peaked in 2019 and then declined annually through 2022. The median age at death was 55 years; 73% and 84% of deaths occurred among men and non-Hispanic whites, respectively.

Overall, 63% of decedents had at least one documented indication of HAV vaccination, including drug use, homelessness, or coinfection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C (41%, 16%, 12%, and 31%, respectively %); 4% had received HAV vaccine.

“As of October 2023, 34 states have declared the epidemic over; however, many vulnerable adults, particularly drug users, homeless individuals, and those with chronic liver disease, are infected with HAV or developing HAV-related illnesses. The risk of severe disease remains elevated with hepatitis HAV infection,” the authors wrote.