Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its sequelae, one of the major d
iseases of mankind, is now a disease preventable by vaccine. During th
e last few years, the price of these vaccines has fallen to the point
where widespread use in infant immunisation programmes is feasible. Th
is paper reports the great progress that has been made in the control
of HBV infection and describes the targets that must be met if HBV con
trol on a global basis is to be achieved.