[Evolution of strategy and coverage rates for hepatitis B vaccination in France, a country with low endemicity].
Both HBV plasma derived vaccines and HBV recombinant vaccines have proved safe and highly immunogenic. In France, exhaustive population surveys have revealed a vaccine coverage rate of over 21.7% and very low three-dose vaccine coverage among infants (19.8%), children (23.3%), and adolescents. Among hospital staff, around 80 to 90% of physicians and health care personnel in public or private hospitals were vaccinated against hepatitis B and the level of coverage was higher among personnel accidentally exposed to blood (90 to 100%). Among risk groups, the specific prevention program against mother-infant transmission was unevenly applied, and between 25 to 45% of intravenous drug abusers, prisoners, or STD patients were vaccinated. These coverage rates are inadequate to obtain a significant reduction and control of hepatitis B infections in France. The complete eradication of HBV transmission might take another 20 years to achieve unless great efforts are made to vaccinate the general population (infants especially) and high-risk groups.
Denis
F
F
Service de bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, CHU Dupuytren, 87042 Limoges, France. fdenis@unilim.fr
Abitbol
V
V
Aufrère
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines