Elimination of new chronic hepatitis B virus infections: results of the Alaska immunization program.
An immunization assessment and a serologic survey were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a hepatitis B immunization program in eliminating hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission among Alaska Natives in a region in which HBV infection is endemic. Hepatitis B vaccine coverage was 93% among 567 children </=10 years old residing in the study villages, and catch-up vaccine coverage among 582 susceptible persons 11-30 years old was 62%. None of 271 tested children </=10 years old were chronically infected with HBV, and just 4 (1.5%) had evidence of resolved infection. In contrast, 16% of 332 persons 11-30 years old (those born before implementation of routine infant hepatitis B vaccination) were chronically infected. A hepatitis B immunization program that includes prevention of perinatal HBV infection, routine infant vaccination, and catch-up vaccination of older children and adults can eliminate new chronic HBV infections in a population with a high rate of chronic infection.
Harpaz
R
R
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. rzh6@cdc.gov
McMahon
B J
BJ
Margolis
H S
HS
Shapiro
C N
CN
Havron
D
D
Carpenter
G
G
Bulkow
L R
LR
Wainwright
R B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D004930:Inuit; D015995:Prevalence; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens