Association between administration of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and completion of the hepatitis B and 4:3:1:3 vaccine series.
BACKGROUND
The association between infant age at initiation of hepatitis B vaccination and completion of the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccination series is unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between administration of the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 7 days of birth and completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series and the 4:3:1:3 vaccine series (4 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, 3 doses of polio vaccine, 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine, and 3 doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine).


METHODS
Analysis of data from the 1998 National Immunization Survey, a random-digit-dialing telephone survey (n = 34,480 completed interviews) of parents of children aged 19 to 35 months from 50 states and 28 selected urban areas in the United States that included a provider record check mail survey.


METHODS
Percentage of infants who received at least 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine and percentage who received the 4:3:1:3 vaccine series, by age at receipt of the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.


RESULTS
Overall, 86.9% of children 19 to 35 months of age in 1998 received 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine, and 79.9% completed the 4:3:1:3 vaccine series. Multivariate analysis indicated that, compared with children who received the first hepatitis B vaccine dose within 7 days of birth, odds ratios (ORs) for not completing the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine series among children who received the first dose at 8 to 41 days, 42 to 91 days, 92 to 182 days, 183 to 273 days, and 274 or more days of age were 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-3.0), 7.8 (95% CI, 6.5-9.3), 9.6 (95% CI, 7.0-13. 3), 18.3 (95% CI, 12.0-28.0), and 46.6 (95% CI, 33.7-64.5), respectively; ORs for not completing the 4:3:1:3 vaccine series among these same groups were 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.1), 1.0 (95% CI, 0. 8-1.1), 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.3), 3.8 (95% CI, 2.6-5.6), and 4.0 (95% CI, 2.9-5.5), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth is associated with increased likelihood of completion of the hepatitis B vaccination series. JAMA. 2000;284:978-983
Yusuf
H R
HR
Immunization Services Division, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Mailstop-E52, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Daniels
D
D
Smith
P
P
Coronado
V
V
Rodewald
L
L
D002675:Child, Preschool; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated