New target groups for vaccination against hepatitis A: homosexual men, injecting drug users and patients with chronic hepatitis.
In countries where the incidence of hepatitis A is low outbreaks of hepatitis A regularly occur among injecting drug users (IDUs) and homosexual men. Obviously these groups are important reservoirs of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and vaccination within these groups should be encouraged. In elderly patients, as well as in patients with chronic liver disease, hepatitis A infection may have a worse prognosis than in young and healthy patients. Also for that reason, patients with chronic liver disease, especially those with chronic hepatitis B and C, are target groups for vaccination against hepatitis A.
Iwarson
S
S
Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg, Sweden.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D014611:Vaccination; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines