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The most effective way to prevent hepatitis is immunoprophylaxis
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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As doctors note, improving sanitation and immunoprophylaxis is the most effective way to combat hepatitis. Therefore, it is desirable that not only newborns, but also all children and adolescents under 18 years of age receive hepatitis B vaccination. In addition, those who for some reason have not been vaccinated before should be vaccinated.
This topic was given special attention at the press conference " Hepatitis: Problems and Solutions". The press conference was attended by specialists from the Ministry of Health and representatives of the public, including Acting Director of the Department of Medical Assistance of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine A. Tereshchenko, Chief Specialist of the Ministry of Health in the specialty "Infectious Diseases" O. Golubovskaya, Director of the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Stop Hepatitis" D. Koval.
There are several hepatitis A vaccines on the international market that are similar in terms of protection against the virus and side effects. Chronic hepatitis B is treated with medications, in particular interferon, antiviral drugs that are quite effective in helping some groups of patients.
As noted by A. Tereshchenko, currently Ukraine has modern clinical protocols for the treatment of such a disease as hepatitis, which fully comply with European standards. In particular, the Unified Clinical Protocol of Primary, Secondary (Specialized) Medical Care for Adults and Children "Viral Hepatitis C" has been approved, as well as the state target program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis until 2016. In addition, Ukraine is a member of the World Health Organization and took part in the program "WHO Guidelines for Screening, Care and Treatment of Persons with Hepatitis C" in April 2014.
According to D. Koval, it is thanks to the Ministry of Health that Ukraine has a program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis, thanks to which people will be able to receive appropriate treatment. However, there are a number of problematic issues, since, unfortunately, the state is not able to simultaneously provide all patients with hepatitis with adequate care. In particular, this primarily concerns patients who need to be treated first - at an early or late stage of the disease, as well as issues related to patients who have undergone treatment at the state or their own expense and have not received a positive effect.
D. Koval emphasized that in the difficult conditions that have developed in Ukraine, the employees of the Ministry of Health are trying to solve problems at a high level and ensure the implementation of the program in full. D. Koval also emphasized that all protocols approved by the Ministry of Health are fully compliant with international standards and doctors must adhere to them. In turn, patients should also know about these protocols and seek help from qualified patients.
According to official data, about 3% of the population in Ukraine is infected, but reliable statistics are lacking. Considering that there is no large-scale method for identifying people infected with hepatitis, as well as a hidden epidemiological process, most experts believe that the spread of viral hepatitis C in Ukraine can reach 9%.