Measuring hepatitis B uptake in a new universal infant program.
BACKGROUND
Vancouver-Richmond Health Board has the highest reported rate of hepatitis B in Canada, including an annual average of 25 cases in children under 12 years of age, based on reports from 1994-1997 inclusive. The current provincial adolescent grade-six hepatitis B immunization program does not protect against childhood infection. The regional health board implemented universal infant hepatitis B immunization in September 1998.


METHODS
Immunization coverage data were obtained on a random sample of 191 infants born in March 1999 one year after initiation of the program.


RESULTS
By eight months of age, 97.9% of children had received some vaccinations. 73.8% of infants had received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine and 12.6% had received two doses. In comparison, 89% had received three doses and 7.9% two doses of DPTP-Hib vaccine. 13.1% of infants had not received any hepatitis B vaccine. For a majority (67%) of these children, their physician's lack of awareness or lack of acceptance of the program constituted the reason for no hepatitis B vaccine uptake. Only one parent cited adverse publicity as the reason for refusing vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey reveals a successful first year of the program without harm to the pre-existing childhood vaccination programs. Hepatitis B vaccine uptake can be improved by increased awareness among physicians and parents.
Dawar
Meenakshi
M
Department of Health Care & Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Dobson
Simon
S
Kallos
Arlene
A
LaJeunesse
Carol
C
Weatherill
Shelagh
S
Daly
Patricia
P
D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012040:Regional Health Planning
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines