Hepatitis B vaccination in a hyper-endemic tribal community from India: assessment after three years.
Hepatitis B infection is highly endemic among the primitive tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India and it is necessary to initiate hepatitis B vaccination for control of this infection. A pilot project of mass hepatitis B vaccination using indigenously developed vaccine was initiated among Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar Island. Sero-protection rates after second and third year were 89% and 85.5%, respectively. The rate of chronic infection in the vaccinated population after three years was 1.86% compared to the pre-vaccination rate of 20.7%. Considering high sero-protection rates and low cost, the indigenous vaccine could be used for vaccination programme in this tribal community.
Murhekar
M V
MV
Regional Medical Research Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Post Bag-13, Port Blair 744101, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. mmurhekar@yahoo.com
Murhekar
K M
KM
Sehgal
S C
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines