Hepatitis A vaccination options for Australia.
The epidemiology of hepatitis A is changing, with an increasing proportion of the population becoming susceptible to infection. The burden of hepatitis A is comparable to that of other vaccine-preventable diseases for which new vaccines are available. Options for vaccination include selective programmes for high-risk groups, which could involve screening prior to vaccination, or universal programmes for infants and/or adolescents. Selective programmes have been shown to be highly cost-effective if well implemented, but there is evidence that they might be poorly implemented. If a universal vaccination programme were considered for Australia, an infant programme, with doses at 18 months and 2 years, possibly with an additional adolescent programme, would be the recommended option. Universal hepatitis A vaccination for infants and/or adolescents is of comparable cost-effectiveness compared with other preventive strategies, but needs to be considered in the context of competing vaccination options.
MacIntyre
C R
CR
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead and University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. RainaM@chw.edu.au
Burgess
M A
MA
Hull
B
B
McIntyre
P B
PB
D001315:Australia; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011050:Policy Making; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines