title: Prospects for vaccination against hepatitis A and B in Catalonia (Spain).
abstract: Catalonia is in an area of intermediate endemicity for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. An Expert Committee has recently proposed the implementation of universal hepatitis A vaccination for 12-year-olds, based on the fact that no risk factors can be identified for hepatitis A in 50% of cases, and also that selective vaccination targeted at high-risk groups has a limited potential to reduce the incidence of hepatitis A. The well-established programme of hepatitis B vaccination of pre-adolescents in Catalonian schools has high levels of vaccination coverage. This will provide a means to introduce hepatitis A vaccination in a cost-effective way in schools, by replacing the single vaccine with the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine. High-risk groups will also continue to be targeted. A pilot programme has commenced in the 1998/1999 school year and will be evaluated after 3 years. If it is successful, it will be extended indefinitely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Security, General Directorate of Public Health, Travessera de les Corts, 131, Pavelló Ave María, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salleras
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruguera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domíngez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D017778:Vaccines, Combined; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines