Hepatitis C virus vaccine development: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), which spreads mostly through contact with contaminated blood. This review looks at the worldwide health implications of HCV, which affects millions and can cause severe liver disorders like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Unlike Hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, making preventive measures critical. The study discusses the historical context of hepatitis discovery, the detection of HCV in 1989, and the progression of treatment options. Current advances in direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments have changed HCV treatment, allowing for significant cure rates. Despite these advances, issues like as treatment accessibility and the need for better screening approaches remain. On-going research aims to improve global treatment access and identify viable vaccine candidates to prevent HCV infection.