A hepatitis B vaccination programme for inner metropolitan Sydney neonates.
OBJECTIVE; To review the effectiveness of a hepatitis B vaccination programme for high risk infants within a mobile urban population.


METHODS
A follow-up study of 1429 infants enrolled consecutively in the programme from September 1987 to December 1988.


METHODS
The programme was established in early childhood centres within inner metropolitan Sydney, an area where 30% of residents were born in non-English speaking countries and where doubts had previously been expressed about the efficacy of vaccination.


METHODS
Neonates born to mothers who were surface antigen positive, born in selected countries with a 5% prevalence of surface antigen carriage, Aboriginal or intravenous drug users.


METHODS
Documented vaccination given by early childhood centre nurses. Some adjustment was made for parents' reports of vaccination given elsewhere.


RESULTS
Two vaccinations were given to 87% and three to 73% of these infants. If we include vaccinations apparently given elsewhere we estimate that 92% may have been fully protected.


CONCLUSIONS
The programme produced high rates of compliance with vaccinations within a population where the delivery of such a service was thought to be difficult. Experience with the current State policy for hepatitis B vaccination indicates that it may not optimally reduce the pool of surface antigen carriers within our community.
Reznik
R B
RB
Department of Community Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Queen Elizabeth II Rehabilitation Centre, Camperdown, NSW.
D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007224:Infant Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009517:New South Wales; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology; D012306:Risk; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin