title: Immunization strategies for the elimination of hepatitis B.
abstract: Rates of hepatitis B infection have remained high despite immunization programs for infants of HBsAg-positive mothers and individuals considered to be at high risk for exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have provided new recommendations for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate hepatitis B virus. The first priority is the prenatal screening of all pregnant women and follow-up vaccination of all infants. The second is the immunization of at-risk adolescents and adults. Ultimately, it is hoped that all adolescents will be immunized when feasible and that the incidence of hepatitis B virus infection will decline. Primary care providers have an important role in the provision of public education about hepatitis B and in the implementation of these new recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Health, Graduate Nursing Program, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reece
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: C075654:Engerix-B; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; C075655:Recombivax HB; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic