title: A significant reduction in hepatitis B virus infection among the children of Shandong Province, China: the effect of 15 years of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program on hepatitis B infection in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2006, a survey was conducted in Shandong Province, China, among children aged 1-14 years, 15 years after the introduction of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination. The subjects were selected by stratified, multi-stage sampling. Vaccination history was obtained by immunization certificate (when available) or parent recall. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected by ELISA. Hepatitis B infection was defined as the presence of HBsAg and/or anti-HBc. The prevalence rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and hepatitis B infection obtained in this survey were compared with the results of a survey conducted in 1992 (prior to universal vaccination).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3738 children aged 1-14 years were included in the final analysis. A vaccination coverage rate of 93% was achieved in 2006. The prevalence rates of HBsAg and hepatitis B infection decreased from 8% and 46% in the 1992 survey to 1% and 4%, respectively, in the 2006 survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Universal hepatitis B vaccination in infants can result in a 90.47% reduction in hepatitis B infection in children aged 1-14 years.
authors: Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Aiqiang
authors: A
authors: Xu
authors: Bingyu
authors: B
authors: Yan
authors: Lizhi
authors: L
authors: Song
authors: Manshi
authors: M
authors: Li
authors: Zuokui
authors: Z
authors: Xiao
authors: Qing
authors: Q
authors: Xu
authors: Liming
authors: L
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines