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Rates of new hepatitis A and B infections have declined to the lowest levels ever recorded, largely because of routine childhood vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the news is not so good about hepatitis C, for which there is no vaccine.

In 2006, 3.2 million Americans were chronically infected with hepatitis C, which can cause liver cancer and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. Although the number of new infections was small, it increased slightly each year since 2003.

“Hep C is common in the U.S., and more effective interventions are needed,” said Dr. John W. Ward of the CDC.