Hepatitis B school-based vaccination programmes in the USA: a model for hepatitis A and B
Section snippets
Hepatitis B vaccination in the USA
Following beautifully designed and executed studies of its efficacy [1], the first plasma-derived vaccine against hepatitis B was introduced in the USA in 1982, but it was never extensively used, largely because physicians were concerned about HIV infection. Recombinant vaccines were introduced in 1986 and in 1989, with initial indications for use in high-risk individuals, e.g. injecting drug users, homosexual men or recipients of multiple blood transfusions. This approach had very limited
Hepatitis A vaccination in the USA
In the USA, current approval for inactivated hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines has been targeted to high-risk individuals: travellers to developing countries (including military or peace-keeping forces), homosexual and bisexual men (particularly those who engage in oral-anal sexual behaviours), and injecting drug users [3]. With the recognition that clotting factor concentrates could transmit HAV, it is now also recommended that individuals who are likely to receive such factor concentrates
Summary
School-based programmes are feasible and they can be readily implemented. Routine vaccination of all infants and children is probably the most effective strategy, but this can only be undertaken when a vaccine formulation for infants becomes available, and at the moment in the USA this is not the case. Once such a vaccine is available, it is likely that a universal vaccination strategy will be implemented, involving nationwide vaccination at school entry, preschool vaccination and paediatric
References (5)
- et al.
Hepatitis B vaccine: demonstration of efficacy in a controlled clinical trial in a high-risk population in the United States
N. Engl. J. Med.
(1980) - Hepatitis B virus: a comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States through universal...
Cited by (11)
Seasonal influenza vaccination at school: A randomized controlled trial
2014, American Journal of Preventive MedicineCitation Excerpt :In future studies, this and the effect of school-located influenza vaccination on community levels of influenza disease burden should be evaluated. School-located vaccination has been used in the last 20 years to increase vaccination coverage against hepatitis B and varicella.47,48 More recently, SLV-I has been studied.
Where to begin human papillomavirus vaccination?
2006, Lancet Infectious DiseasesAn evaluation of school-level factors used in a successful school-based hepatitis B immunization initiative
2005, Journal of Adolescent Health