Importance of hepatitis vaccination in patients with chronic liver disease.

Acute hepatitis A or B infection can be lethal in patients with chronic liver disease. Safe and effective vaccines are currently available to prevent hepatitis A and B. Despite wide availability of vaccines, most patients with chronic liver disease are not immunized, in part due to nonuniform and inconsistent current recommendations for this population. A better understanding of the importance of preventing acute hepatitis A and B in patients with chronic liver disease and a proactive approach to vaccination by primary care physicians can positively influence the outcome of patients with chronic liver disease.