Dramatic decline in acute hepatitis B infection and disease incidence rates among adolescents and young people after 12 years of a mass hepatitis B vaccination programme of pre-adolescents in the schools of Catalonia (Spain).
The aim of the study was to describe the impact of hepatitis B vaccination and disease incidence in adolescents and young people 12 years after the launching of a mass hepatitis B vaccination of pre-adolescents in schools. Vaccination coverage was assessed using administrative and serological data. Infection trends were evaluated by means of seroepidemiological surveys. High levels of vaccination coverage and vaccine-induced immunity were achieved. The resulting low proportions of susceptible adolescents and young people have undoubtedly contributed to the substantial reduction in the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the 15-24 years age group (0.9 per 100 in 2001 versus 9.3 per 100 in 1986) and in the reported incidence of hepatitis B cases (80% reduction). Over the last 3 years, the declining trend seems to have been halted, although 35% of cases reported during this period corresponded to immigrants.
Salleras
L
L
Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Preventive Medicine Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, C. Casanova, 143, Barcelona 08036, Spain. salleras@ub.edu
Dominguez
A
A
Bruguera
M
M
Cardeñosa
N
N
Batalla
J
J
Carmona
G
G
Navas
E
E
Taberner
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines