Hep C Vaccine in the Works?

A Bloomberg News report indicates that biotech company Okairos is working on a vaccine for hepatitis C, an infection that now kills more Americans than HIV/AIDS.

The vaccine would be a first of its kind -- not working like traditional vaccines that rely on the body's immune system to form an antibody response, but instead a "gene-based vaccine designed to stimulate the body's immune system to prevent hepatitis C from taking hold," according to Chief Operating Officer Tom Woiwode, who was quoted in the article.

Thankfully, vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, but so far, none for type C, so if this new vaccine works, it would be welcome news to everyone in the hepatitis community.