What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 2,838 patients with hepatitis b. The study was sponsored by VBI Vaccines and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
90% protected after just 2 doses on the 3-antigen vaccine vs. 52%.
JAMA Network Open · 2021 · NCT03408730
These findings — that protected after 2 vaccine doses on the 3-antigen vs. single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine — were published in the JAMA Network Open and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 2,838 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with hepatitis b, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
PreHevbrio (the 3-antigen vaccine) is FDA-approved and available now for adults 18 and older. It works faster than the older single-antigen vaccine. Ask your primary care doctor whether you should get vaccinated, especially if you have diabetes, HIV, kidney disease, or other risk factors.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open hepatitis b trials
Efficacy of Tenofovir Disoproxil on Mother-to-child Transmission of HBV in Tokombéré, Cameroon in Pregnant Women
Pregnant women with HBeAg-positive viral hepatitis b or high viral load will receive Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from the 28th week of amenorrhoea until 6 weeks after delivery. Their newborns will receive the hepatitis B vaccine, starting with one dose at birth and followed by three booster doses, according to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. The investigators hypothesise that a short course of TDF could greatly reduce the risk of HBV MTCT in pregnant women at high risk of MTCT (HBeAg positive or with high viral load).
Acceptability of Simultaneous Screening for Viral Hepatitis B, C and HIV Among Drug Users in Non-conventional Structures
The principle is to propose dedicated monthly screening days bringing together the health personnel involved (hepatologist, addictologist, nurse in charge of the program, addictology nurse and social worker) and to propose appropriate management for each situation assessed.