title: Preimmunisation hepatitis B screening in Singapore--a viewpoint from private sector clinics.
abstract: Blood samples from 1,600 persons who sought immunisation against hepatitis B in private clinics in Singapore in 1988-1989 were screened for two viral markers. Of that total, 4.81% were positive for HBsAg and 17.31% had anti-HBs levels greater than 10 mIU/ml, indicating that about 22.12% of the general population would not benefit from immunisation. Preimmunisation screening will identify persons not requiring the hepatitis B vaccine and thus, avoid wastage. When immunisation has already been performed without screening, recall for post-immunisation screening should be considered in order to detect the infectious hepatitis B carriers. Data in this study indicates that at this point in time, it is important to immunise adolescents and adults, in addition to neonates and children.
authors: G K
authors: GK
authors: Mah
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002353:Carrier State; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D012846:Singapore; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines