Hecolin Vaccine Breakthrough: Two Doses Slash Hepatitis E Incidence in South Sudan
January 15, 2025
A recent study involving Médecins Sans Frontières, Johns Hopkins University, and the World Health Organization confirmed that the Hecolin vaccine significantly reduces hepatitis E incidence after just two doses.
This vaccination campaign in South Sudan was conducted in three rounds during early and late 2022, targeting individuals aged 16 and older.
Laboratory analyses following the vaccination revealed important insights into the virus's biological characteristics and immune responses, enhancing future outbreak preparedness.
Hepatitis E poses severe risks, particularly for pregnant women and individuals with chronic illnesses, with mortality rates ranging from 10% to 50%.
In South Sudan, hepatitis E outbreaks are prevalent in camps for internally displaced persons, such as the Bentiu camp, where inadequate sanitation and flooding exacerbate the situation.
The Hecolin vaccine, which was developed in China, had previously been limited to controlled trials and travel medicine, marking this campaign as its first use in an outbreak response.
Globally, hepatitis E is estimated to cause around 50,000 deaths annually, underscoring the urgency of effective vaccination and outbreak response.
The challenge in detecting hepatitis E is compounded by its symptoms, which often resemble those of other diseases that cause acute jaundice.
The WHO has established a global stockpile of hepatitis E vaccines for emergency use, which could save lives and has led to new recommendations for a two-dose vaccination schedule.
Although the Hecolin vaccine has been available since 2011, its original three-dose regimen complicates administration in resource-limited settings.
Experts emphasize the need to understand the vaccine's effectiveness across different populations and virus variants to optimize its use.
The high transmission risk of hepatitis E in South Sudan is largely due to contaminated water sources, highlighting the critical need for improved sanitation.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

ScienceDaily • Jan 14, 2025
Hepatitis E vaccination is effective in an epidemic
Medical Xpress • Jan 14, 2025
Hepatitis E vaccination found to be effective in two doses instead of three