Progress on the control of hepatitis B infection through immunisation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its sequelae, one of the major diseases of mankind, is now a disease preventable by vaccine. During the last few years, the price of these vaccines has fallen to the point where widespread use in infant immunisation programmes is feasible. This paper reports the great progress that has been made in the control of HBV infection and describes the targets that must be met if HBV control on a global basis is to be achieved.