[Health Council report 'Protection against hepatitis B': an opportunity for effective prevention through cooperation].
The Health Council of the Netherlands has issued a report updating the guidelines for prevention of hepatitis B formulated in 1983, in which vaccination of high-risk groups was prescribed only to a limited extent. Based on new evidence regarding horizontal transmission, immigration from endemic countries and improved vaccine potency and safety, the new Health Council report now advises-in addition to continuation and intensification of the high risk group approach-universal vaccination, in accordance with the WHO guidelines. The hepatitis B vaccine may be added to the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-poliomyelitis vaccination protocol in early infancy. The logistics of improving vaccination coverage may benefit from the creation of small working groups for the separate risk groups which will report to a central steering committee.
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Afd. Maag-, Darm- en Leverziekten, Academisch Ziekenhuis Rotterdam-Dijkzigt.
D005060:Europe; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007391:International Cooperation; D009426:Netherlands; D014944:World Health Organization
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines