Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only for genotype 1
• D. There is a vaccine but not recommended

Answer: (B)

There isn’t a vaccine for hepatitis C. Researchers have continued to pursue one because the virus has many genotypes and can mutate, making it hard to create a single vaccine that protects against all strains. Although some vaccine candidates have shown promise in early trials, none have been approved for routine use. In the meantime, prevention relies on reducing exposure risk (safe injection practices, sterilization, blood product screening) and using highly effective antiviral therapies that can cure most infections and reduce transmission. For context, vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, but not for hepatitis C.

There isn’t a vaccine for hepatitis C. Researchers have continued to pursue one because the virus has many genotypes and can mutate, making it hard to create a single vaccine that protects against all strains. Although some vaccine candidates have shown promise in early trials, none have been approved for routine use. In the meantime, prevention relies on reducing exposure risk (safe injection practices, sterilization, blood product screening) and using highly effective antiviral therapies that can cure most infections and reduce transmission. For context, vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, but not for hepatitis C.